The Ruy Lopez opens with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. Pawn pawn knight attack, knight defend bishop B5! this the move which separates the Ruy Lopez and the Italian Game. The Ruy Lopez is sometimes referred to as the Spanish game.

Main line (most play on chess.com)

• 3…., a6 - attacking the bishop
• 4.Ba4, Kf6 - white retreats the bishop, black brings out the knight looking to take on e4
• 5.O-O, Be7
• 6.Re1, b5
• 7.Bb3, d6
• 8.c3, O-O - 8.c3,O-O

The Closed Spanish

After 3. Bb5 black responds with a6 immediately attacking the bishop. This is called the Morphy defence

Once attacked the white bishop has a few options. Taking the knight on c6 with a6 .

4.Bxc6 dxc6 is aggressive. loosing the valuable bishop pair but doubling blacks pawns in compensation. The ultimate plan for white in this position could be to trade the d pawn for the e pawn and then push the advantage on the king side.

The main line contiunes with 4. Ba4

Exchange Variation

Take the knight on c6

The Open Spanish

The Berlin

Other odd variations