Ruy Lopez
Also called the Spanish Opening.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
An opening for White
The classical main line the world champions trust.
Show me the opening
0 / 5 moves
Win likelihood
White ~56%Our chess engine scores this position at about 56% for White - a small edge to your side. From here it would play a6.
Most openings are close - the first move gives White a small edge. What actually wins games at the beginner level is playing the plan and not hanging pieces, far more than which opening you pick. How we score this.
The idea
White pins pressure on the knight defending e5 by developing the bishop to b5. It's the most respected 1.e4 e5 opening at every level, prized for long-term positional pressure.
The plan
Castle, play c3 and d4 to build the centre, and slowly manoeuvre your pieces to the kingside. The Ruy is about patience, not an early knockout.
What to play next
After Black plays ...a6, retreat the bishop to a4 and castle. Then bring a rook to e1 to support e4. After ...b5 chases the bishop to b3, Black shores up the centre with ...d6 - and you can follow up with c3 and d4 to build your pawn centre.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6
Watch the typical continuation
Show me the opening
0 / 14 moves
One tip for beginners
You don't need to memorise 20 moves of theory. Develop, castle, and aim for a big pawn centre with c3 and d4.
What to watch out for
Don't grab the e5 pawn too early with Bxc6 and Nxe5 - Black's ...Qd4 fork tricks catch beginners out.
Who plays it
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