The king of 1.e4 openings. Deep theory, long-term pressure, grandmaster-tested.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
Named after the 16th-century Spanish priest Ruy López de Segura, the Ruy Lopez starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, attacking the c6 knight that defends e5. It's the most respected of all 1.e4 openings, deep strategic theory, rich middlegame plans, and unmatched staying power at the top level. Fischer, Kasparov, Anand, and Carlsen have all used it as their primary White weapon. But the theory load is steep: you need preparation against the Berlin Defense, Marshall Attack, Closed Variation, and Breyer System. If you have 2000+ ELO and time to study, the Ruy Lopez rewards you with the deepest positional chess in any 1.e4 opening.
Each variation below comes with a diagram and the main plan. Click "Train this opening" to drill every line with spaced repetition.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 3...a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3
The main line. White prepares d4, maneuvers Nb1-d2-f1-g3, and plays for a slow kingside attack. Rich positional battles with many branches (Breyer, Chigorin, Zaitsev).
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 3...Nf6
The 'Berlin Wall'. After 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8, we reach a queenless middlegame requiring endgame precision. Kramnik's weapon against Kasparov in 2000.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 3...a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5
Black sacrifices a pawn for a massive attack on the kingside. After 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6, Black gets dangerous attacking chances.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 3...a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6
White gives up the bishop pair for a better pawn structure. Fischer's favorite Anti-Ruy weapon when he wanted to avoid Marshall theory.
Consider the Italian Game instead. The Ruy Lopez demands too much preparation for the rating you face, your time is better spent on tactics.
Start with the Exchange Variation (4.Bxc6). Low theory, solid positional edge, sidesteps the Berlin and Marshall.
Invest in the Closed Ruy Lopez. Learn your response to Berlin, Marshall, Breyer, and Chigorin. The opening rewards deep study.
No, the Ruy Lopez has the deepest theory of any 1.e4 opening. Black's defenses (Berlin, Marshall, Closed, Breyer) each require separate preparation. Beginners should play the Italian Game or Scotch Game until they reach 1800+ ELO.
The Berlin Defense (3...Nf6) leads to a queenless middlegame after 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8. Black has the bishop pair but lost castling rights. Kramnik used it to neutralize Kasparov's 1.e4 in the 2000 World Championship. Requires deep endgame technique.
Play 4.d3 instead of 4.O-O (Anti-Berlin). This sidesteps the queenless middlegame and leads to a slower, strategic game. Alternatively, play the Italian Game or Scotch Game if you want to avoid Berlin theory entirely.
At the top level: yes, the Ruy Lopez is considered theoretically superior. At club level: not necessarily, the Italian Game gives faster practical results with less study time. Choose based on your rating and study budget.
Everyone. Carlsen, Caruana, Ding, Nepomniachtchi, Anand, and Kasparov have all used the Ruy Lopez as a primary White weapon. It's played in almost every World Championship match.
The fastest-developing 1.e4 opening. Aim the bishop at f7 and play for the attack.
The 'symmetric' defense. Rock-solid and endorsed at the World Championship level.
The center-breaking alternative to the Italian. Kasparov's weapon against Karpov.
Every variation above is a drill on ChessAtlas. Spaced repetition schedules each move so you never forget a line again. Free to start — no credit card.