Ruy Lopez

ECO C60–C99 White's opening Intermediate

One of the most famous openings. White puts the bishop on b5 to pressure the knight that defends e5. It does not win anything right away, but keeps up slow, lasting pressure.

Black

hgfe dcba

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abcd efgh

White

Explanation

Game Moves

#	White	Black
1	e4	e5
2	Nf3	Nc6
3	Bb5

Aim

Pressure the knight on c6 to weaken Black's e5 pawn. After castling, expand in the center with c3 and d4.

Watch out for

Taking on c6 and then grabbing e5 right away often fails, because Black can win the pawn back with moves like ...Qd4. When ...a6 chases the bishop, decide between Ba4 and Bxc6.