Hi.
I also wondered why such active positioning of a Bishop doesn't recieve much attention, but after playing against it with the White pieces, I got a very comfortable position because the main RLopez plan (play d4 to challenge the center) comes with a tempo on the Bishop.
I'm curious if there is other reasons why
It's funny: ...Bc5 early on is uncommon, yet every time I see a grandmaster commenting on it when someone plays it during a tournament or something, they're always like "Oh, yeah, this is an equal alternative to the 20 times more popular closed variation (...Be7)."
It just depends. In the old Spanish lines black prepares c5 to even things out in the centre, while white plays c3-d4. Also Be7 potentially prepares for Bf8! This means black can consider g6. It's also a possible counter against white's knight jump Ne3 (or g3) -f5.
The bishop on c5 blocks the black pawns and also it leaves the kingside more vulnerable. On the plus side, it is of course more active than the ugly looking Be7.
"Also Be7 potentially prepares for Bf8!"
Just poking fun, but it is kind of humorous how a developing move can... prepare for an un-developing move ;) If you wanted the undeveloping move you could have just not developed :)
But yeah, I know what you mean -- you would want to play ...Bf8 after bringing the rook to e8 etc. It just sounded kind of funny :)
I don't think castling is legal with the bishop on f8, but I understand what you mean.
I missed the possibility of Nxe5 as pfren stated. It's just like why Bd3 is preferred over Bc4 against the Pirc.
Neil McDonald says this in his book: The Ruy Lopez, Move by Move:
It encourages the c3-d4 setup, because it's winning a tempo, and maybe forcing e5xd4 (if it's not well enough protected), giving white his great pawn centre.
White can sometimes play the Nxe5 before black plays d6, regaining the piece with d2-d4 in a position where it gives an advantage.1
The Bishop remains out of the kingside, giving white better attacking chances.
The bishop is vulnerable to an unfavourable exchange for a white knight
In the Møller where black plays b5, the b5 pawn is more exposed.
I always wondered about this. Be7 is so passive, and placing the bishop inside the pawn chain is what beginners learn NOT TO DO. It's an importent defensive piece, but on c5 it's helping taking control of the important d4 square, and also puts some threats of Ng4 if white plays Re1
1: e4 e5 2: Nf3 Nc6 3: Bb5 a6 4: Ba4 Nf6 5: 0-0 Be7!? (Bc5!)