Rúy Lopez theory

A place to discuss Rúy Lopez lines, defences, traps and more.

The Rúy Lopez: Old Steinitz defence

This response is fairly rare as it has been deemed as a weak response to the ruy lopez as it is viewed as not the best response. This is because even though whites bishop is brought in to the game, the move d6 blocks blacks dark squared bishop making it weak. Also allowing for white to play d4 instantly as the knight is pinned to the king. 

The best response for white after this move is to simply play d4, than black has two options the first is to unpin the knight by moving bd7 or playing exd4, of the two moves it would be better for black to play bd7. 

Than the sequence goes:

1. e4 e5 2. nf3 nc6 3. bb5 d6 4. d4 bd7 5. O-O exd4 6. nxd4 nxd4 7. bxd7+ qxd7 8. qxd4 nf6

Keep in mind if black castles queenside this is a massive blunder as white can simply capture the a pawn.

Overall black shouldn't play the Old Steinitz defence, nonetheless, it is good for white to know this response in the event of it being played.

The Rúy Lopez:Exchange Variation 

The second most common line in the Rúy Lopez and one of the easiest lines to learn. That line is 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6. This move gives black the bishop pair in exchange for a ruined pawn structure and also a double pawn on c6 and c7. This opening is commonly played so that white can have a superior pawn structure so that when the endgame is reached white has a far higher chance of winning. 

After 4...dxc6 you might be thinking that whites night should capture the undefended e5 pawn but this results in a queen fork by the move 5...Qd4. Shown below.

instead of playing the move 5. Nxe5, white should castle kingside so that the Qd4 sequence becomes unavailable forcing black to defend the e5 pawn with moves such as: f6, Bg4, Qd6, or bd6. 

5. O-O f6 (The Gilgoric Variation)

First we will talk about the most common response to castling and that is 5...f6. After 5...f6 white should play 6. d4 which is by far the best move. Black is than left, once again, with two options 6...bg4 or 6...exd4. It is recommended for black to play 6...exd4. After 6...exd4 it goes 7. Qxd4 Qxd4 8. Nxd4 c5. The move 6...exd4 helps white as the queens are traded off early making whites goal of reaching the endgame easier. 

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O f6 6. d4 exd4 7. Qxd4 Qxd4 8. Nxd4 c5

Overall the Rúy Lopez:Exchange Variation is a great chess opening to add to your repertoire.