Opening Overview

Ruy Lopez

234 lines
white repertoire

About 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: Steinitz Defense, Nimzowitsch Attack
C62 11 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 Bd7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bxc6
Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, Semi-Duras Variation
C62 9 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 Bd7 5. c4
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense
C63 6 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Classical Variation
C63 14 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qg5
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Dyckhoff Variation
C63 7 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Exchange Variation
C63 7 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Bxc6
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Jaenisch Gambit Accepted
C63 7 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. exf5
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Kostić Defense
C63 10 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Möhring Variation
C63 14 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qd5
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Schönemann Attack
C63 7 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d4
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Tartakower Variation
C63 10 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nf6
Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Benelux Variation
C64 12 plies
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6
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