Ruy LopezC92

Closed

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 9. h3

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.
... Be7Be7 develops the bishop.
6. Re1Re1 controls e4.
... b5b5 attacks the bishop.
7. Bb3Bb3 controls d5.
... d6d6 controls e5.
8. c3c3 controls d4.
... O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.
9. h3h3 repositions the pawn.

Open on the interactive board

Other major variations

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