ChessLab Academy
Ruy Lopez (C60)
Ruy Lopez is an opening for White. Level: Intermediate. Main line: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O.
Learn it with the spoken coachPractise it from memoryThe main line, move by move
- 1. e4: White takes the centre.
- 1… e5: Black takes the centre too.
- 2. Nf3: The knight attacks e5.
- 2… Nc6: Black defends e5.
- 3. Bb5: The bishop attacks the knight that defends e5. This long-term pressure is the point of the Ruy Lopez.
- 3… a6: Black asks the bishop what it wants to do.
- 4. Ba4: White keeps the bishop and the pressure.
- 4… Nf6: Black develops and attacks e4.
- 5. O-O: White castles. The e4 pawn is not really hanging, because of tactics against the black king on the e-file.
- 5… Be7: Black develops the bishop and gets ready to castle.
- 6. Re1: The rook defends e4.
- 6… b5: Black gains space on the queenside and pushes the bishop away.
- 7. Bb3: The bishop retreats to a good diagonal, still aiming at f7.
- 7… d6: Black supports e5 firmly.
- 8. c3: White prepares d4 and gives the bishop a retreat square on c2.
- 8… O-O: Black castles. This is the main line of the Closed Ruy Lopez.
Ideas for White
Put slow pressure on e5 by attacking its defender, then build a strong centre with c3 and d4.
Ideas for Black
Gain space with ...a6 and ...b5, hold e5, and look for ...d5 or queenside play.
Typical plans
- White: c3, d4, h3 and a knight trip Nbd2-f1-g3.
- Black: ...Na5 and ...c5 for queenside space.
- Black (Marshall Attack): give a pawn with ...d5 for a fast attack.
Common mistakes
- Thinking 3.Bb5 wins the e5 pawn at once. After 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.Nxe5, Black plays Qd4 and wins the pawn back.
- White grabbing pawns on the queenside while the centre is still closed.
- Black taking on d4 too early and giving up the centre.
Variations
Closed (5...Be7), Berlin Defence (3...Nf6), Exchange Variation (4.Bxc6), Open Variation (5...Nxe4), Marshall Attack.
Traps in this opening
Quick check
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6, can White win a pawn with 5.Nxe5?
Answer: No: Black plays Qd4, attacking the knight and e4, and wins the pawn back. The queen on d4 forks the knight and the e4 pawn, so Black regains the pawn.