Alternative to the Ruy

http://www.chess.com/livechess/game?id=954702846 Max Lange!

It looks like someone didn't make it through the 'tactical minefield'

Not playing Nxe4 is silly..I mean its the best move. Like its a juicy pawn, why not take it? 

After watching all those Berlin games I'm really starting to be turned off from the Ruy...

Scotch it up!

I like the Berlin. The subtleties stagger the imagination, revealing the richness of this game we play.

4.d3

The only reason I've had so much success with the Ruy is cuz black rarely plays it right. But I'm getting up there in rating and I'll be playing higher rated people nowadays

Why would that turn you off of the Ruy?  

The Goering Gambit is an excellent choice if you want to get better at tactical play. Note that I do not say "if you want to win", because the Goering is considered 'unclear'. If you cannot prosecute tactically then you will simply be a pawn down for nothing, so it's sink or swim.

I've played it in CC where I had extensive time to analyze; OTB the pressure is seriously on to turn that pawn sac into something. There are a few dozen very instructive master games out there on www.chessgames.com and elsewhere.

It turns me off because players 1600+ won't give me the pleasure of doing a monster attack on the kingside by playing super solid lines like the Berlin or the Breyer. If I'm playing for a win, I'm not sure if this is the best idea.

Or if I should invest in something like a Italian/Scotch just as another alternative or even a KG or Danish

The "monster attack" doesn't happen very often once you reach a certain level of play. What happens far more often is (1) threat pressure, (2) positional compromise, and (3) simplification to an endgame advantage.

The "monster attack" mindset can be likened to a desire for instant gratification. Chess is usually a game of patience and calm, cold logic. Fireworks are fun when they come along, but they have little to do with a choice of opening and more to do with horrific blunders.

If I'm fine with playing a tactical but slightly dubious opening would the Evans Gambit or KG be a good choice? And the Scotch isn't dubious but I always have trouble against the Nf6 lines..

I think you can play almost anything. But if you think there is an opening that will give you a winning position by move 15 in every game, then you will be continually disappointed.

My recommendation is this: study the openings one by one, learn the key tactical and positional themes in each, and then stick to the ones where you think you understand them best. Then play them as often as you can, learning how to play the main lines -and- how to response to unexpected moves by your opponent. This takes time and effort.

Why play Berlin mainline? 4.d3.  Why play closed Ruy mainline?  There are so many good deviations in that opening that it really is your fault(more or less lol) for playing into lines that you dislike.  There is no reason to play into either...theory runs 30+ deep in both lines.  

I don't have much practice because nobody at my club plays e5. Very rare. The Scotch looks really interesting as an alternative. I still like the Ruy, but I like to play 1000 different openings.

Just get your practice at that place called chess.com, lol.  Obviously it's your choice on what you make your main choice vs 1..e5 in your repertoire, but the Ruy is the best and strategically deepest choice, as has been known for decades.  

Is it really in my best interest to play an opening with so much theory and drawing lines? The Berlin looks like a fun killer..

tbh Ruy theory is much easier to learn than Scotch theory (coming from a Scotch player )