So i play a computer, and obviously it's not going to match me play by play in the ruy lopez (like i see in all the examples)

My big problem is that i run into all sorts of problems on the left side of the board. for instance this is each opening move of the computer and i : 1.e4 c6

So now on my third move, my plans to move Bf5 won't work. but i press on : Nf3 e6 - 3. Bc4 Qb6 --

I get stuck after this opening. either my bishop can't get out to b5 or c4 without risking itself, or i end up here and don't know where to go.

is this a familiar defense by black? I've seen the computer do this or a varation , also i've seen the pawns on queen side put pressure on my bishop, but rarely does the computer respond with any sort of ruy lopez moves itself. granted sometimes it responds with e5.

basically i'm looking for a website to help me with my open. i know this site has it but i don't have money to upgrade my profile. i guess my midgame is weak but i don't know how to fix it.

help!

Your post is really confusing, you brought up the Ruy but 1.e4 1...c6 is Caro-Kann...

http://www.365chess.com/opening.php

Is it still Caro-Kann, coupled with e6? It is rather forming meran like structure.

mco 4 yo

What variation are you playing?  You don't have the 2nd move listed in your original post.  

I mean they computer responds with c6. I play the ruy lopez as

1. e4    2.Nf3     3.Bb5 (or Bc4)

My issue is mainly not knowing how to respond to certain defenses the computer plays in respone to either of the three moves in my open.

So just as an example (let's take it one example at a time) I just opened a game as white and made my first move; e4 .  Computer responded with d5. I get flustered because now my pawn at e4 is in danger. So here is an example of how I handle this, i'll start from the beginning:

1.e4 - d5  2.Bd3 - d5 takes my e4 pawn   3.My bishop on d3 takes black pawn on e4.  4. black pawn e5, i respond with Nf3.   5. black moves Nf6 - and i can go on but the point is, whenever I read about the Ruy Lopez, the first three moves white makes (e4, Nf3, Bb5/Bc4) NEVER happens for me. I can never get this three moves done because of black's defense. Is this normal? Is there a ruy lopez varation i should be using?

I know this is all confusing, I apologize

blueemu ,

thanks for the website

You know the old saying "It takes two to tango"?  Openings are like that.  If black doesn't cooperate you simply can't MAKE the Ruy Lopez happen no matter how hard you try.  1.  e4   d5   is the Scandinavian, an entirely different system.  Generally what is suggested is  2.  e4xd5  and then when the queen recaptures you get to chase it around the board a bit while developing,  i.e. 3.  Nc3.

THANK YOU! Last two posters, this makes sense. I was taking it to literal. So instead of looking at completing a Ruy Lopez, I should maybe look more at establishing my first move as e4 and go from there?

Also, is e4 a good first move to make? I am struggling to grasp the organic nature of the open, for instance if I was to open e4, I don't know how to recognize what defense black may be using or how to respond. I know it takes practice, but i'd like to read about it too

Yeah... instead of being fixated on completing Ruy Lopez (or whatever other opening there is), take a look at your opponent's move and react to the move that is actually happening! 

And do yourself a favor: Please read this article

http://www.chess.com/article/view/the-principles-of-the-opening

It is really helpful. Takes only 10 minutes to read. Read it every day, memorize it and you can react and adapt to most situations and moves and with more practice and time will become a much more understanding player.

Thank you blueemu, a superb resource indeed!

I approve all of this message and in particular the part I put in bold letters.

Man, everyone here was awesome in helping me on this. I really appreciate it.

haegint, thanks for the resource

e4 is the best first move for someone at your level, it will help you develop your tactics a little bit quicker than d4 openings, then later down the road you can focus on the positional aspects of closed pawn structures in d4 lines.  Don't focus too much of your study on openings though, just abiding by general principles will suffice until you start to get a strong grasp on the game.  You should have a very BASIC grasp of these defenses from black and what your preferred variations would be(you don't need to memorize 20 move variations):

-1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 (the ACTUAL Ruy)  This is one of the most well known variations, I won't go into plans, you can look up the games of almost any former World Champ to see ideas for how to play the Ruy.  

-1.e4 e6 2. d4 d5 French defense.  I recommend the advance variation(3. e5), it is probably the easiest to learn while still giving white an advantage, I suggest not playing dry exchange variations, sometimes the exchange variation is suggested to beginners because it isnt theory laden, but I don't agree with this because the game is essentially equal after 3.exd exd and you should practice maintaining an advantage in the opening as white.  I personally play Tarrasch variation of French however(3.Nd2).  

-1 e4 c6 2d4 d5 Caro-Kann defense.  I play 3. Nd2 here as well, but I recommend the advance variation(3. e5) again because of the same reasons as I stated in the french defense.  Again, avoid exchange variations(this is personal opinion).

-1 e4 c5  Sicilian.  At your level I would definitely avoid the open sicilian, so I suggest playing 2. Nc3 and going into a closed sicilian setup with future moves like g3, Bg2, d3, Nge2 all preparing an eventual f4 push.  

- e4 d5 Scandinavian. Very straightfoward, play exd followed by ideas of Nc3, d4, etc.  

Those are the main moves you will probably see so I'd recommend having a basic grasp of these openings and what your ideas as white should be.  

Learning the King's Indian Attack would give him a formation that he could play against all three of these Black openings, and against other setups as well (such as the Pirc).

...which would make his progress even more slow on the long run, as he will keep in the mentality "play the same moves no matter what the opponent does".

Hardly that.

Given an initial deployment involving Pawns on a2 / b2 / c2 / d3 / e4 / f2 / g3 / h2, Knights on f3 and d2, Bishops on c1 and g2 together with King's side castling; there are a wide range of plans available in the KIA:

1) Queen's side expansion with c2-c3 and a2-a4 (with or without manoevering a Knight to c4).

2) Central expansion with c2-c3 and d3-d4.

3) King's side expansion with N(f3)-h4 and f2-f4.

4) King's side expansion with e4-e5, h2-h4 and B(c1)-f4.

... and this leaves unexplored the possibility of keeping the e-Pawn on e2 and playing c2-c4 instead. When combined with a Queen's-side fianchetto and the Reti manoever R(a1)-c1 / Rc2 / Q(d1)-a1 / R(f1)-c1 this gives White a completely different set-up.

The KIA is certainly not a "rote" opening... it is extremely flexible and can lead to a wide variety of middle-game situations, even if Black does not attempt to derail the development of White's plans.

That's already 6 moves where White has turned his brains off. 5 too much.

I am glad to see I have inspired such a discussion. A lot of it is over my head at this point, but I enjoy the prospect of revisiting this thread when I know more about the game.

Thanks to all for the info and resources. I am already improving my open.