Ruy LopezC82

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1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3

Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

The b5-bishop pressures the defender of e5. The real plan is slow: castle, play c3 and d4, and keep the central tension as long as possible. The Spanish torture is won on move 30, not move 10.

Black's plan

...a6 and ...b5 push the bishop back with gain of time, then ...Be7 and ...O-O consolidate. Counterplay comes from ...Na5-c4 or a well-timed ...d5 break.

The line, move by move

1. e4e4 occupies the center.
... e5e5 occupies the center.
2. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
... Nc6Nc6 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
3. Bb5Bb5 develops the bishop.
... a6a6 attacks the bishop.
4. Ba4Ba4 repositions the bishop.
... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
5. O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.
... Nxe4Nxe4 captures a pawn.
6. d4d4 strikes at the center.
... b5b5 attacks the bishop.
7. Bb3Bb3 controls d5.
... d5d5 occupies the center.
8. dxe5dxe5 captures a pawn, occupies the center.
... Be6Be6 develops the bishop and controls d5.
9. c3c3 controls d4.

Open on the interactive board

Other major variations

The complete Ruy Lopez guide See all 235 variations in the branch map