The Ruy Lopez


Overview

The Ruy Lopez is a very popular chess opening in which the following moves are played:



White develops a piece and attacks Black’s defender of the e5-pawn. This bishop on b5 is engaged and can potentially pin the c6-knight.

The Ruy Lopez is divided opening into two major categories based off Black’s third move:

  • 3… Nf6, the Berlin Defense
  • 3… a6, the Morphy Defense

Within the Morphy Defense, there are three main variations:

  • The Exchange variation
  • The Arkhangelsk variation
  • The Closed Defense



In the Berlin Defense, Black moves the Knight to f6 to threaten the e-pawn.

In the Exchange variation, White exchanges his Bishop for Black’s Knight which doubles White’s pawns.



In the Arkhangelsk, Black’s idea is to use his fianchettoed bishop's influence in the center and kingside.

White has several options, including attempting to build an ideal pawn centre with c3 and d4, defending the e-pawn with Re1 or simply developing.

The closed defense is the main line of the ruy lopez.

In the closed Defense, Black develops his Bishop to the e7-square.

This subtle move can lead to aggressive positions, such as the Marshall attack.


In the Classical Variation, Black develops the b8-knight earlier than in the other variations, and challenges White’s d4-Knight.


What is The Ruy Lopez?

The Ruy Lopez is a very popular chess opening played at the highest levels of chess.

It starts with the following moves:

  1. e4 e5
  2. Nf3 Nc6
  3. Bb5

You can see what this looks like below.



How To Reach The Ruy Lopez

  1. White moves his King’s Pawn two squares
  2. Black moves his King’s pawn two squares forward
  3. White then attacks blacks pawn by placing the Knight on f3
  4. Black then defends this pawn with his Queenside Knight
  5. White then attacks this Knight with his bishop

See what it looks like below.



Why Play The Ruy Lopez

The Ruy Lopez is a popular chess opening that leads to interesting and complex games.

Some of these games are aggressive and tactical while others have slow natural build ups.

Due to its vast theory, the Ruy Lopez is also a great weapon to catch your opponents off guard


Every move explained

Berlin Defense

How To Reach It

The Berlin Defense is a chess Opening that begins with the following moves:

  1. e4 e5
  2. Nf3 Nc6
  3. Bb5 Nf6

You can see these moves below:

Why play the Berlin Defense - main line

The Berlin Defense is a powerful weapon for Black to try to equalize the game (and see in top level play)

White's Moves

Occupy the d-file with both rooks

The d-file is a great resource for White (helps keep rooks active)

Since White has already castled, he can place a rook on the d-file to attack Black’s position from d1.

Bring the Knight to g5 if Black goes Be6

It is very important for White to try to undermine Black’s Bishops pair activity. Because of this, going Ng5 and possibly exchanging the e6-Bishop can be a great plan.

Black's moves

Bring the King to e8

The King in the d8-square is vulnerable because White can try to control this open-file.

Black should remove his king from this file and place a rook there instead.

Gain space in the Kingside with h5

To get counterplay, Black should move the pawn in front of his Kingside rook forward two squares (so the rook gains more space)

Since Black cannot castle (which would allow the Rook to swing over), the best way to get the rook engaged is to open up the column it’s on.

Why play the Berlin Defense - side lines

Although the main line of the Berlin Defense is played far more, these lines are still worth learning.

This lets you play the Berlin without studying a bunch of theory.

White's moves

Play d3 and c3 to give the centre some extra security

Put your c-pawn on c3-pawn (because it gives White some control of the d4-square) and prevents Black from putting his Knight on e5 (outpost square)

Put your d-pawn on d4 (to support your e4-pawn which gives you center control)

Play Re1 and bring the Knight to g3 via Kd2-Kf1

Having a Knight on g3 can be very helpful to control the f5-square and defend the e4-pawn.

Break in the centre with d4

White should play the c3-d4 move combination (since this creates space for White’s pieces and gains center control)

Black's moves

Play a6 and Ba7

The Bishop on c5 in often exposed to attacks such as d4 or b4. Because of this, a6 can be a very useful move to retreat the Bishop keeping it in an active diagonal.

Bring the Knight to g6 via d7 and f8

Similarly to White, Black will also benefit from having a Knight controlling important squares on the Kingside.

Expand on the Queenside

In the Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense, black should be attacking on the Queenside.

When White tries to open up the center (with the c3-d4 move combination), Black should counterplay on the wings of the board (specifically the Queenside).

Exchange variation

How To Reach It

The Exchange variation happens after these moves:

  1. e4 e5
  2. Nf3 Nc6
  3. Bb5 a6
  4. Bxc6

You can check these out here:

Why play the Exchange variation

In the exchange variation White exchanges his Bishop for Black’s c6-knight.

White loses the pair of Bishop but also doubles Black’s pawns.

This leads to positions that are imbalanced and hold chances for both sides.

White's Moves

Get d-pawn onto d4 square

White should try to get his d-pawn onto the d4 square.

The idea: get more space for his pieces and eventually exchange the d4 pawn with Black’s e5-pawn.

If White is able to successfully exchange the d4 pawn for Black’s e5 one, the endgame is generally considered won for White

The idea: create a passed pawn on the kingside.

Black can’t do the same on the queenside (because of the doubled pawns on the c-file)

Black’s King needs to stay on the Kingside (other the passed pawn will queen).

White can just transfer his king to the queenside and win all of Black’s queenside pawns.

(Source: Former World Champion Max Euwe’s book - Secrets of Pawn Endings)

Expand on the Queenside with a2-a4-a5

Going a4 and a5 is a typical plan to get some space on the Queenside and make it difficult for Black to move on this side of the board.

Black's moves

Control the centre with c5

Advancing the c-pawn can be helpful for Black to gain space and control the d4 central square.

Try to open the Bishops with f5

Breaking with f5 can be a great way to open up diagonals for the Bishops.

Arkhangelsk Defense

How To Reach It

The Arkhangelsk Defense starts with these moves:

  1. e4 e5
  2. Nf3 Nc6
  3. Bb5 a6
  4. Ba4 Nf6
  5. 0-0 b5

Check these out below:

White's moves

Get d-pawn to d4

Whites Idea: Get d-pawn to d4.

This gains White more space for his pieces and control of the center)

This move is usually supported by a pawn on c3 (so if Black takes on d4, White can just take back on c3 and maintain center control)

Open up a-file for rook

Whites Idea: Try to get an exchange on the a-file, (so the rook can control it).

Free up a square for the Bishop

Playing c3 is a very helpful move, because it supports d4, and leaves the c2-square for the Bishop.

This could be helpful to pressure the h7-pawn and the Kingside if the diagonal is open.

Black's moves

Pin the f3-Knight

The best square for Black’s bishop is on the g4 square (where it controls the most squares and pins Whites knight).

Go Rb8 and b4

Black can look for counterplay on the b-file if he manages to open it with b4.

Closed Defense

How To Reach It

The Closed Defense starts with these moves:

  1. e4 e5
  2. Nf3 Nc6
  3. Bb5 a6
  4. Ba4 Nf6
  5. 0-0 Be7

You can see these moves played out here:

White's Moves

Go Re1 and maneuver the Knight to g3

Moving the rook to e1 allows the Knight to swing to g3 (to control the f5-square)

Get d-pawn to d4

Whites Idea: Get d-pawn to d4.

This gains White more space for his pieces and control of the center)

This move is usually supported by a pawn on c3 (so if Black takes on d4, White can just take back on c3 and maintain center control)

Free up a square for the Bishop

Playing c3 is a very helpful move, because it supports d4, and leaves the c2-square for the Bishop.

This could be helpful to pressure the h7-pawn and the Kingside if the diagonal is open.

Black's moves

Exchange d-pawn to open up d-file for Queen

Blacks idea: Exchange d-pawn to open up d-file (for Queen).

On exchange, Queen gains control of the d-file.

Attack White’s e-pawn

Black should attack White’s e-pawn (with his f6-Knight and place a Bishop on b7)

By forcing White to defend, White can’t attack on the center or Kingside.

Attack on Queenside

In the Ruy Lopez, Closed Defense, black should be attacking on the Queenside.

When White tries to open up the center (with the c3-d4 move combination), Black should counterplay on the wings of the board (specifically the Queenside).




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