Easy Ruy Lopez Line For Black

Does anyone know an easy way to get out of the opening but without having to play passive positions? I tried the open but White has SOOO many sidelines that are OK against it and I don't want to waste much time having to learn a bunch of variations. I tried the delayed Steinitz for a while but I ended up playing passive positions all the time and it was hard to find active play. 

If you're looking for a draw in the Ruy Lopez, the Berlin Defense has a reputation for being good for that.

For example, the following is the most popular line, per one database. You don't even need to castle!

As sqod said, the Berlin.  Trade of queens and your in the middlegame after 8 moves.

I thought about this but I think it's just too complicated for me to play.

Saying youre looking for an easy way to play the Ruy Lopez is like saying you want to paint like Picasso, but dont want to put in the effort.

Agreed. The only way to prevent White from playing the Ruy Lopez after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 is to avoid 2...Nc6. The only solid, active way to do that, in my opinion, is to play Petrov's Defense instead: 2...Nf6. That's definitely drawish.

I don't think all the effort in the world is going to help a 1400 player play the Berlin ending well. I struggle enough with the normal exchange variation as it is. At any rate I just want something playable that won't get me into trouble in the opening and I don't want to waste time learning a bunch of variations.

From what i can see, all of your games have been 3/0.  

You havent played a single long time control.

You havent done a single tactic.

You havent done a single chess mentor problem.  

Thats not a good combination to have if you want to learn the Ruy.