Openings · 2 min read
The Ruy Lopez: plans, not memorisation
The Ruy Lopez, or Spanish Opening, starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. The bishop attacks the knight that defends e5, and the pressure lasts.
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1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7
The Closed Ruy Lopez. White usually goes on with Re1, c3 and d4; Black with ...b5, ...d6 and castling.
Black's main defences
- Morphy Defence (3...a6): the main line.
- Berlin Defence (3...Nf6): very solid, often with an early queen trade.
- Open Variation (5...Nxe4): Black takes on e4 for active pieces.
- Exchange Variation (4.Bxc6): White doubles Black's pawns; Black gets the bishop pair.
The plans that repeat
White plays Re1, c3, h3 and d4, then brings the b1-knight to g3 via d2 and f1. Black chases the bishop with ...b5 and ...Na5, then gains queenside space with ...c5.
Two tactical points
- 3.Bb5 does not yet win e5. After 3...a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.Nxe5, 5...Qd4 wins the pawn back.
- Noah's Ark Trap: after 3...a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.d4 b5 6.Bb3 Nxd4 7.Nxd4 exd4, 8.Qxd4 loses to 8...c5 and ...c4, trapping the bishop on b3.
Key takeaways
- Bb5 keeps lasting pressure on the defender of e5.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is the Ruy Lopez called the Spanish Opening?
- It is named after Ruy López de Segura, a Spanish priest who wrote about 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 in 1561. Both names refer to the same opening.
- Is the Berlin Defence drawish?
- The Berlin endgame (4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8) is very solid for Black but not a forced draw: Black has the bishop pair, White a kingside pawn majority.
Practise the related tactics
The ideas behind this
- Classical OpeningsPawns in the middle, pieces out, castle. The approach to learn first.
- Playing for a Pawn MajorityLeave the opening with a healthy pawn majority the opponent cannot match.
- Memorizing Key LinesLearn the ideas first, then memorise only the forcing lines.