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Ruy Lopez

ECO Codes: C60-C99

Overview

The Ruy Lopez, named after Spanish priest Ruy López de Segura, is one of the oldest and most respected chess openings. It begins with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, where White develops naturally while putting pressure on Black's e5 pawn. The opening is known for its rich strategic depth and has been played by virtually every world champion.

Main Line

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5

Key Strategic Themes

  • Control of the center
  • Pressure on e5 pawn
  • Bishop pin on c6
  • Long-term strategic play
  • Complex pawn structures

Typical Tactical Motifs

  • Central pawn breaks
  • Kingside attacks
  • Exchange sacrifices
  • Minority attacks
  • Piece sacrifices for initiative

Main Variations

Closed Variation

ECO: C84-C99

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7

The main line of the Ruy Lopez, characterized by complex positional play and subtle maneuvering.

Key Ideas:

  • Control of center squares
  • Bishop retreat to a4
  • Kingside castling
  • Preparation for d2-d4
  • Long-term strategic battle

Typical Plans:

  • Kingside expansion with f4
  • c3 and d4 central break
  • Minority attack with a4-a5
  • Control of d5 square
  • Rook lift to third rank

Common Traps:

Noah's Ark Trap
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 b5 5.Bb3 Na5 6.O-O d6 7.d4 Nxb3

Black traps White's bishop but must be careful of the weakened kingside.

Berlin Defense

ECO: C65-C67

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6

A solid defense that has become popular at the highest levels, known for its drawish tendencies in the endgame variation.

Key Ideas:

  • Early development of knight
  • Potential endgame scenarios
  • Solid pawn structure
  • Equal chances in endgame
  • Complex strategic play

Typical Plans:

  • Exchange of queens
  • Control of open e-file
  • Kingside pawn majority
  • Knight outposts
  • Endgame technique

Common Traps:

Berlin Trap
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8

White achieves a slightly better endgame with better pawn structure.

Marshall Attack

ECO: C89

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5

A sharp counterattacking system where Black sacrifices a pawn for long-term attacking chances.

Key Ideas:

  • Pawn sacrifice for initiative
  • Kingside attack
  • Active piece play
  • Open lines for attack
  • Dynamic compensation

Typical Plans:

  • ...Qh4 and ...Qf6 maneuvers
  • ...f5 break
  • Piece sacrifice on e3
  • King attack patterns
  • Rook lift to f6

Common Traps:

Marshall Sacrifice
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6

Black sacrifices material for a dangerous attack against White's king.

Quick Facts

  • ECO Code: C60-C99
  • Popularity: Very Common
  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • First Played: 16th century
  • Named After: Ruy López de Segura

Famous Practitioners

  • Garry Kasparov
  • Viswanathan Anand
  • Magnus Carlsen
  • Bobby Fischer
  • Anatoly Karpov

Recommended Resources

Books

  • "The Ruy Lopez: A Guide for Black" by Johnsen and Johannessen
  • "Understanding the Ruy Lopez" by Michael Tait
  • "The Ruy Lopez: Move by Move" by Neil McDonald

Online Courses

  • Chess24's Ruy Lopez Masterclass
  • Chessable's Lifetime Repertoires
  • ICC's Complete Ruy Lopez

Classic Games

Kasparov vs Karpov, 1990

A brilliant display of the Closed Ruy Lopez's strategic depth.

Study Game →

Fischer vs Spassky, 1972

Famous game from the World Championship match showcasing the Modern Steinitz Defense.

Study Game →
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