Opening Overview
Ruy Lopez
234 linesAbout This Opening
White develops the bishop to b5 and targets the knight that defends the center.
The opening's main value is its characteristic move order, which helps steer the game toward familiar structures and plans.
When studying it, focus on the first forcing decisions, the main branching points, and the kind of middlegames the opening is designed to reach.
Key ideas
- Typical theme: recognize the key move order early.
- Learn the first critical branching decisions.
- Best for players who want a repeatable repertoire line.
- Understand the resulting pawn structure and piece placement.
Choose a variation
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Anderssen Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. Bxc6+
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Duras Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. c4
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Kaufmann Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Be3
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer Trap
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Ne7 5. Nxe5 c6
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Ne7
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Beverwijk Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Fishing Pole Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Ng4
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Nyholm Attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O
Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Zukertort Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3
Ruy Lopez: Halloween Attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. Nxe5
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Closed Bernstein Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Bd7 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Bg5
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Closed Showalter Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Bd7 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Bxc6