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Ruy Lopez

Last updated on Tue, 03/24/2009 at 6:01am.

The Ruy Lopez is a chess opening beginning with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. While this opening was was first noted in the Gottingen Manuscript around 1490, it is named after Ruy López de Segura, a 16th century Spanish priest who published a book on chess in 1561. His book, Libro del Ajedrez, included analysis of the opening which would later bear his name.

The Ruy Lopez is regarded as one of white's best attempts to achieve an advantage in double king-pawn openings and is popular with both beginners and experienced players. It is commonly seen in games played at the grandmaster level.

The key is to put pressure on the e5 pawn quickly. However, after 3...a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nxe5 white gets into trouble with 5...Qd4!

This opening is commonly called the Spanish Game outside of English speaking countries.

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1773 reads | 92 comments

Comments:

by vernon - 23 months ago
Coweta,OK United States

Member Since: Jun 2007
Member Points: 203

thats really nice to know i have used it a few times and i like it

by dajuggernaut - 23 months ago
Valdosta,Georgia United States

Member Since: Jul 2007
Member Points: 8

Now I get it.

by Bonzlibir - 23 months ago
Palawan Philippines

Member Since: Jun 2007
Member Points: 197

Now I know why the light colored Bishop should not take Black's Knight at c6.

by lostapiece - 23 months ago
tamworth,capital of mercia England

Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 4774

ah this brings it back! i think this is one of the 1st openings most chess beginers learn,it was the 1st one i studdied in any depth. it may be an idea to study something off the beaten track,to confuse and complicate matters for your opponent. obviously this is posted to interest the novices and people new to the game.

by Eugen - 22 months ago
Cherkessk Russia

Member Since: May 2007
Member Points: 141

Black can also exploit White's mistake in another way:

This is also very dangerous for White.

by Trickster - 22 months ago
Mississauga, ON Canada

Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 232

I prefer the Giuoco Piano rather than the Ruy Lopez. For people who don't know no the Giuoco Piano it starts off like this

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

The starting position of the Giuoco Piano

3. Bc4 Bc5

by Akuni - 22 months ago
Nova Scotia Canada

Member Since: Jul 2007
Member Points: 1206

Also known as the Spanish Torture.

And 5...Qg5 is not the best way to regain the pawn because of 6. Nf3 Qxg2 7. Rg1 Qh3 8. d4 Bg4 9. Rg3 Qh5 where White can castle Queenside and attack the enemy Kingside.

by chessplayer324 - 22 months ago
new york United States

Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 3

this helps alot

by batgirl - 22 months ago
NC United States

Member Since: Jun 2007
Member Points: 3866

"This opening is commonly called the Spanish Game outside of English speaking countries"

hmm... it seems odd to me that, specifically in countries where they don't speak English, the would use English to describe a chess opening.

by murshid - 22 months ago
Dhaka Bangladesh

Member Since: Aug 2007
Member Points: 120

Akuni, how did you put the smaller board in your post? if i want to put a board position, it becomes a big one like Eugene's.

by Eugen - 22 months ago
Cherkessk Russia

Member Since: May 2007
Member Points: 141

Murshid, when you are inserting a board, clik "next", "next", ... , enter moves, or pgn-file, etc. and there will be a "board size" option in the right-hand corner of the window.