Openings question

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LaSalleStreet

Playing Ruy Lopez, for example, does Black need to play d5 and Nf3 for White to be "successful"? If Black deviates from those moves, does White's opening go south?

magipi

It is very hard to decypher what you try to ask. What d5? What Nf3? Did you set up the chessboard upside down?

Anyway, the answer to your question is no. The spanish (Ruy Lopez) is a good opening. Again, it is hard to figure out what you had in mind.

LaSalleStreet

My question was confusing. Hopefully this one is better: in the chess.com Openings section, it lists various openings and defenses, with responses by White and Black. Does the opposition need to play the moves listed for the opening or defense to be "successful"?

magipi

The answer is no. The main variations of an opening are main because they are the best replies on both sides. Other moves are supposed to be worse.

In my opinion: thinking about specific openings are not fruitful below the master level. You should google "opening priciples" and try to internalize those.

However, looking at a few of your games, openings are not a problem for you. Your problem is hanging pieces (letting your opponent to take a pices for free). Your focus should be to practice tactics puzzles (a lot) to sharpen your tactical skills.

nklristic

I don't completely understand a question, so I will try to be detailed and hopefully you will get your answer.

Ruy Lopez is this:

1. e4 e5  2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5

If you have this position on the board after move 3 by white, it is called Ruy Lopez. If it is not that position, it can't be called Ruy Lopez, it is something else. (I suspect that is your actual question but I am not sure). 

As for the term successful... The opening for white is considered a success if he has slightly better position out of the opening. The opening for black is considered successful if black manages to get an equal position out of the opening. By the way playing Ruy Lopez is fine for both white and black, and you don't have to avoid it as black. If you play 1. ...e5 as black, playing 2. ...Nc6 as a response to 2.Nf3 is what most of the people do if they are playing 1. ...e5 as black.

I suspect that by successful that is not what you meant however. happy.png

tygxc

#3
Ruy Lopez is just a shorthand expression for 1. e4 e5  2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 for easy reference.
There is nothing succesful or unsuccesful about it.

JamesColeman

I understand the question, you’re looking at the board from black side and you’re mistaking …e5 and …Nc6 with the moves you wrote in #1, which is why it was confusing. 

Simple answer is yes, those moves are required for it to be a Ruy Lopez. For example 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 - white has made the same moves as in the Lopez but that’s a Rossolimo Sicilian.