Quick answer
The Ruy Lopez, or Spanish Game, starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. White's bishop puts pressure on the knight that defends e5, then White castles and prepares c3 and d4. Black's most popular reply is 3...a6, the Morphy Defense.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
- Best for
- Players who like long, strategic games with White
- Style
- Rich and strategic, slow pressure
- Main idea
- Pressure the c6 knight (and through it e5), castle, then build the center with c3 and d4
The main line, move by move
This is the Closed Ruy Lopez, the main road of the opening. Step through it, then switch to Practice and play White's moves yourself.
Why the Ruy Lopez works
The bishop on b5 doesn't win anything right away. Its job is long-term pressure: as long as it eyes the knight on c6, Black's control of e5 is never completely safe. White builds slowly, castles, and only then opens the center with d4.
White's plan
- c3 and d4 to build a big pawn center.
- Nbd2–f1–g3: the famous "Spanish knight" route that brings the queenside knight to the kingside.
- Bc2 to keep the bishop pointed at Black's king.
- A slow kingside attack once the center is stable.
Black's plan
- ...Re8 and ...Bf8 to defend e5 solidly.
- ...Na5 to kick the bishop and gain space with ...c5.
- ...Bb7 to pressure e4.
A trap to know: Noah's Ark
This trap catches White players who grab a pawn too quickly. Black's queenside pawns end up surrounding White's bishop. Practice it as Black so you recognize it from both sides.
Common beginner mistakes in the Ruy Lopez
- Taking the e5 pawn after Bxc6. After 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.Nxe5? Black wins the pawn back with ...Qd4, attacking the knight and e4.
- Playing d4 before it's prepared. First c3, and often h3, so the pawn can be supported.
- Letting the bishop get traded. When Black plays ...Na5, retreat to c2 and keep your best piece.
- Grabbing pawns with the queen, as in the Noah's Ark trap above.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ruy Lopez good for beginners?
Yes, especially if you like strategic games. The first moves follow the opening principles, and the plans are clear. It has a lot of deep theory, but you only need the first eight to ten moves to start playing it.
What is the Berlin Defense?
The Berlin Defense is 3...Nf6, attacking e4 right away. It became famous when Vladimir Kramnik used it to beat Garry Kasparov in their 2000 world championship match. It's very solid and often leads to an early queen trade.
What's the difference between the Ruy Lopez and the Italian Game?
Both start with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6. In the Ruy Lopez the bishop goes to b5 and pressures the knight; in the Italian Game it goes to c4 and aims at f7. The Italian is usually a bit more direct.