{"id":2778,"date":"2023-08-11T17:17:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T17:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/?p=2778"},"modified":"2023-08-11T17:17:02","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T17:17:02","slug":"chess-openings-the-ruy-lopez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/chess-openings-the-ruy-lopez\/","title":{"rendered":"Chess Openings: The Ruy Lopez"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening) is one of the oldest and most theorized chess openings in the world, characterized by the moves <strong>1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5<\/strong>. Let&#8217;s take a look at what the Ruy Lopez is, its origins, some of the main variations, and the best way to learn it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerBefore\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-1\" class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboard rpbchessboard-diagramAlignment-center\">\n    <noscript>\n        <div class=\"rpbchessboard-javascriptWarning\">\n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        <\/div>\n    <\/noscript>\n    <div class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor\"><\/div>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n            var selector = '#' + \"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-1\" + ' .rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor';\n            RPBChessboard.renderFEN($(selector), {\"position\":\"r1bqkbnr\\\/pppp1ppp\\\/2n5\\\/1B2p3\\\/4P3\\\/5N2\\\/PPPP1PPP\\\/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 0 3\",\"squareSize\":32,\"coordinateVisible\":true,\"turnVisible\":true,\"colorset\":\"original\",\"pieceset\":\"cburnett\"});\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerAfter\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Ruy-Lopez-Background\">Ruy Lopez Background<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Name-Origins\">Name Origins<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#History\">History<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Ruy-Lopez-Theory\">Ruy Lopez Theory<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Main-Lines\">Main lines<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#books\">Books to Learn From <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#games\">Game Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:13px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"has-text-color has-x-large-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"Ruy-Lopez-Background\" style=\"color:#1c5b7b\">Ruy Lopez Background<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"Name-Origins\" style=\"color:#2385ac\">Ruy Lopez Name Origins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ruy Lopez is named after <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ruy_L%C3%B3pez_de_Segura\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ruy L\u00f3pez de Segura<\/a>, a 16th Century Spanish Priest who published a book about chess called <em>Libro del Ajedrez<\/em> (considered to be one of the first published chess manuals), in which he studied and wrote about chess openings and particularly explored 3.Bb5. L\u00f3pez was a well-known chess analyst and writer, and a strong player who traveled and successfully competed against the top players of his time. Although he did not invent the Ruy Lopez opening, he did analyze it and developed theory that is still used today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"History\" style=\"color:#2385ac\">Ruy Lopez History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It was only a few centuries later when the Ruy Lopez gained popularity and was employed by strong players. From Wilhelm Steinitz in the 1800s to Magnus Carlsen today, the Ruy Lopez is part of every great player&#8217;s repertoire at some point in their life &#8211; both as Black and White.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many different variations that follow from <strong>3.Bb5,<\/strong> and one historically special one is the Berlin Defense with <strong>1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6<\/strong>, which was consistently used by Vladimir Kramnik in his <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Classical_World_Chess_Championship_2000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2000 World Chess Championship Match<\/a> against Garry Kasparov. The Berlin Defense has since become one of the most popular variations in the Ruy Lopez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s take a look at a few other popular variations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"has-text-color has-x-large-font-size wp-block-heading\" id=\"Ruy-Lopez-Theory\" style=\"color:#1c5b7b\">Ruy Lopez Theory<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ruy Lopez leads to a variety of complex positions and has been a staple in chess for centuries due to its rich history and strategic possibilities. It leads to open and semi-open positions, providing both sides with opportunities to exploit weaknesses and demonstrate their understanding of pawn structures, piece coordination, and positional play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>White&#8217;s third move, <strong>3.Bb5<\/strong> aims to control the center and develop pieces efficiently, and sets up potential tactics for the future. Black&#8217;s main responses include <strong>3&#8230;a6<\/strong> (the Morphy Defense) or<strong> 3&#8230;Nf6<\/strong> (the Berlin Defense). There are so many theorized mainlines and accompanying sidelines in the Ruy Lopez, some of which go up to 30 moves deep. Here are some popular lines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"Main-Lines\" style=\"color:#2385ac\">Main Lines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:3px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#2385ac\"><strong>3&#8230;Nf6 the Berlin Defense<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerBefore\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-2\" class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboard rpbchessboard-diagramAlignment-center\">\n    <noscript>\n        <div class=\"rpbchessboard-javascriptWarning\">\n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        <\/div>\n    <\/noscript>\n    <div class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor\"><\/div>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n            var selector = '#' + \"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-2\" + ' .rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor';\n            RPBChessboard.renderFEN($(selector), {\"position\":\"r1bqkb1r\\\/pppp1ppp\\\/2n2n2\\\/1B2p3\\\/4P3\\\/5N2\\\/PPPP1PPP\\\/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 4\",\"squareSize\":32,\"coordinateVisible\":true,\"turnVisible\":true,\"colorset\":\"original\",\"pieceset\":\"cburnett\"});\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerAfter\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Berlin Defense is well known for its sturdiness, and often leads to an even and difficult &#8220;Berlin Endgame&#8221;. For this reason, it is often called the &#8220;Berlin Wall&#8221;. White usually castles, after which Black has two main responses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>4&#8230;Bc5 known as the Berlin Classical Variation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>4&#8230;Nxe4 known as the Berlin Main Variation. Black does not hold on to the open, as White gets Re1 and plays on the vulnerable e-file.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" style=\"color:#2385ac\"><strong>3&#8230;a6<\/strong> <strong>Morphy Defense<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>3&#8230;a6 is by far Black&#8217;s most popular third move, and it asks White&#8217;s Bishop where it wants to go. White&#8217;s two main options are 4.Bxc6 and 4.Ba4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3&#8230;a6 4.Bxc6 the Exchange Variation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerBefore\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-3\" class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboard rpbchessboard-diagramAlignment-center\">\n    <noscript>\n        <div class=\"rpbchessboard-javascriptWarning\">\n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        <\/div>\n    <\/noscript>\n    <div class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor\"><\/div>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n            var selector = '#' + \"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-3\" + ' .rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor';\n            RPBChessboard.renderFEN($(selector), {\"position\":\"r1bqkbnr\\\/1pp2ppp\\\/p1p5\\\/4p3\\\/4P3\\\/5N2\\\/PPPP1PPP\\\/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 5\",\"squareSize\":32,\"coordinateVisible\":true,\"turnVisible\":true,\"colorset\":\"original\",\"pieceset\":\"cburnett\"});\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerAfter\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Exchange Variation leads to an imbalanced position and dynamic play for both sides. Note that White does not win a free pawn with 5.Nxe5 as Black has 5&#8230;Qd4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3&#8230;a6 4.Ba4<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After 4.Ba4, the game can go in many different directions. Black must choose if they want to continue developing, solidify their e-pawn, or kick White&#8217;s Bishop away one more time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Closed Variation: <strong>1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerBefore\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-4\" class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboard rpbchessboard-diagramAlignment-center\">\n    <noscript>\n        <div class=\"rpbchessboard-javascriptWarning\">\n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        <\/div>\n    <\/noscript>\n    <div class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor\"><\/div>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n            var selector = '#' + \"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-4\" + ' .rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor';\n            RPBChessboard.renderFEN($(selector), {\"position\":\"r1bqk2r\\\/1pppbppp\\\/p1n2n2\\\/4p3\\\/B3P3\\\/5N2\\\/PPPP1PPP\\\/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 4 6\",\"squareSize\":32,\"coordinateVisible\":true,\"turnVisible\":true,\"colorset\":\"original\",\"pieceset\":\"cburnett\"});\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerAfter\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Marshall Attack: <strong>1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.c3 d5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerBefore\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-5\" class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboard rpbchessboard-diagramAlignment-center\">\n    <noscript>\n        <div class=\"rpbchessboard-javascriptWarning\">\n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        <\/div>\n    <\/noscript>\n    <div class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor\"><\/div>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n            var selector = '#' + \"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-5\" + ' .rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor';\n            RPBChessboard.renderFEN($(selector), {\"position\":\"r1bq1rk1\\\/2p1bppp\\\/p1n2n2\\\/1p1p4\\\/4P3\\\/1BP2N2\\\/PP1P1PPP\\\/RNBQR1K1 w - d6 0 1\",\"squareSize\":32,\"coordinateVisible\":true,\"turnVisible\":true,\"colorset\":\"original\",\"pieceset\":\"cburnett\"});\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerAfter\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Worral Attack: <strong>1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Qe2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerBefore\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-6\" class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboard rpbchessboard-diagramAlignment-center\">\n    <noscript>\n        <div class=\"rpbchessboard-javascriptWarning\">\n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        <\/div>\n    <\/noscript>\n    <div class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor\"><\/div>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n            var selector = '#' + \"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-6\" + ' .rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor';\n            RPBChessboard.renderFEN($(selector), {\"position\":\"r1bqk2r\\\/1pppbppp\\\/p1n2n2\\\/4p3\\\/B3P3\\\/5N2\\\/PPPPQPPP\\\/RNB2RK1 b kq - 0 6\",\"squareSize\":32,\"coordinateVisible\":true,\"turnVisible\":true,\"colorset\":\"original\",\"pieceset\":\"cburnett\"});\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerAfter\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Open Variation: <strong>1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerBefore\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-7\" class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboard rpbchessboard-diagramAlignment-center\">\n    <noscript>\n        <div class=\"rpbchessboard-javascriptWarning\">\n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        <\/div>\n    <\/noscript>\n    <div class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor\"><\/div>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n            var selector = '#' + \"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-7\" + ' .rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor';\n            RPBChessboard.renderFEN($(selector), {\"position\":\"r1bqkb1r\\\/1ppp1ppp\\\/p1n5\\\/4p3\\\/B3n3\\\/5N2\\\/PPPP1PPP\\\/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 0 6\",\"squareSize\":32,\"coordinateVisible\":true,\"turnVisible\":true,\"colorset\":\"original\",\"pieceset\":\"cburnett\"});\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerAfter\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Arkhangelsk Variation: <strong>1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bb7<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerBefore\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-8\" class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboard rpbchessboard-diagramAlignment-center\">\n    <noscript>\n        <div class=\"rpbchessboard-javascriptWarning\">\n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        <\/div>\n    <\/noscript>\n    <div class=\"rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor\"><\/div>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n            var selector = '#' + \"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-8\" + ' .rpbchessboard-chessboardAnchor';\n            RPBChessboard.renderFEN($(selector), {\"position\":\"r2qkb1r\\\/1bpp1ppp\\\/p1n2n2\\\/1p2p3\\\/4P3\\\/1B3N2\\\/PPPP1PPP\\\/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 2 7\",\"squareSize\":32,\"coordinateVisible\":true,\"turnVisible\":true,\"colorset\":\"original\",\"pieceset\":\"cburnett\"});\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerAfter\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"books\" style=\"color:#2385ac\">Ruy Lopez: Books to Learn From<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"352\" height=\"529\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/93.png\" alt=\"The Modernized Ruy Lopez - Volume 1 - A Complete Repertoire for White\" class=\"wp-image-2780 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/93.png 352w, https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/93-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/93-150x225.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The Modernized Ruy Lopez &#8211; Volume 1 &#8211; A Complete Repertoire for White<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Author:<\/strong> Dariusz Swiercz<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Publisher:<\/strong> Thinkers Publishing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Level:<\/strong> Intermediate<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/the-modernized-ruy-lopez--volume1--a-complete-repertoire-for-white\" style=\"background-color:#2385ac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>View Book<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 25%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The Arkhangelsk Ruy Lopez<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Author:<\/strong> M. Shyam Sundar<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Publisher:<\/strong> Chess Informant<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Level: <\/strong>Advanced<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/the-arkhangelsk-ruy-lopez?section\" style=\"background-color:#2385ac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>View Book<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"352\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/95.png\" alt=\"The Arkhangelsk Ruy Lopez\" class=\"wp-image-2781 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/95.png 352w, https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/95-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/95-150x200.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 352px) 100vw, 352px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"380\" height=\"482\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/96.png\" alt=\"Opening Repertoire: The Ruy Lopez\" class=\"wp-image-2782 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/96.png 380w, https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/96-237x300.png 237w, https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/96-150x190.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Opening Repertoire: The Ruy Lopez<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Author: <\/strong>Joshua Doknjas<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Publisher:<\/strong> Everyman Chess<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Level: <\/strong>Intermediate<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/opening-repertoire:-the-ruy-lopez\" style=\"background-color:#2385ac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>View Book<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 25%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The Ruy Lopez: Move by Move<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Author:<\/strong> Neil McDonald<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Publisher: <\/strong>Everyman Chess<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Level<\/strong>: Intermediate<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/product\/the-ruy-lopez:-move-by-move\" style=\"background-color:#2385ac\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>View Book<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"347\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/94.png\" alt=\"The Ruy Lopez: Move by Move\" class=\"wp-image-2783 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/94.png 347w, https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/94-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/94-150x225.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-color wp-block-heading\" id=\"games\" style=\"color:#2385ac\">Ruy Lopez: Game Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Kasparov vs Karpov 1990<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ruy Lopez Closed<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerBefore\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-9\" class=\"rpbchessboard-chessgame\">\n    <noscript>\n        <div class=\"rpbchessboard-javascriptWarning\">\n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        <\/div>\n    <\/noscript>\n    <div class=\"rpbchessboard-chessgameAnchor\"><\/div>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n            var selector = '#' + \"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-9\" + ' .rpbchessboard-chessgameAnchor';\n            RPBChessboard.renderPGN($(selector), {\"pgn\":\"[Event \\\"Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Mat\\\"]\\n[Site \\\"Lyon FRA\\\"]\\n[Date \\\"1990.12.15\\\"]\\n[Round \\\"20\\\"]\\n[White \\\"Garry Kasparov\\\"]\\n[Black \\\"Anatoly Karpov\\\"]\\n[Result \\\"1-0\\\"]\\n[ECO \\\"C92\\\"]\\n[PlyCount \\\"81\\\"]\\n[EventDate \\\"1990.??.??\\\"]\\n\\n1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a4 h6 13. Bc2 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Bb1 c5 16. d5 Nd7 17. Ra3 f5 18. Rae3 Nf6 19. Nh2 Kh8 20. b3 bxa4 21. bxa4 c4 22. Bb2 fxe4 23. Nxe4 Nfxd5 24. Rg3 Re6 25. Ng4 Qe8 26. Nxh6 c3 27. Nf5 cxb2 28. Qg4 Bc8 29. Qh4+ Rh6 30. Nxh6 gxh6 31. Kh2 Qe5 32. Ng5 Qf6 33. Re8 Bf5 34. Qxh6+ Qxh6 35. Nf7+ Kh7 36. Bxf5+ Qg6 37. Bxg6+ Kg7 38. Rxa8 Be7 39. Rb8 a5 40. Be4+ Kxf7 41. Bxd5+ 1-0\",\"pieceSymbols\":\"native\",\"navigationBoard\":\"scrollLeft\",\"withFlipButton\":true,\"withDownloadButton\":true,\"nboSquareSize\":32,\"nboCoordinateVisible\":true,\"nboTurnVisible\":true,\"nboColorset\":\"original\",\"nboPieceset\":\"cburnett\",\"nboAnimated\":true,\"nboMoveArrowVisible\":true,\"nboMoveArrowColor\":\"r\",\"idoSquareSize\":32,\"idoCoordinateVisible\":true,\"idoTurnVisible\":true,\"idoColorset\":\"original\",\"idoPieceset\":\"cburnett\"});\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerAfter\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:13px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Carlsen vs Anand 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Berlin Defense<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerBefore\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-10\" class=\"rpbchessboard-chessgame\">\n    <noscript>\n        <div class=\"rpbchessboard-javascriptWarning\">\n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        <\/div>\n    <\/noscript>\n    <div class=\"rpbchessboard-chessgameAnchor\"><\/div>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n            var selector = '#' + \"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-10\" + ' .rpbchessboard-chessgameAnchor';\n            RPBChessboard.renderPGN($(selector), {\"pgn\":\"[Event \\\"WCh 2014\\\"]\\n[Site \\\"Sochi RUS\\\"]\\n[Date \\\"2014.11.09\\\"]\\n[Round \\\"2\\\"]\\n[White \\\"Carlsen, M..\\\"]\\n[Black \\\"Anand, V..\\\"]\\n[Result \\\"1-0\\\"]\\n[ECO \\\"C65\\\"]\\n[WhiteElo \\\"2863\\\"]\\n[BlackElo \\\"2792\\\"]\\n[PlyCount \\\"69\\\"]\\n[EventDate \\\"2014.11.08\\\"]\\n\\n1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. Re1 O-O 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. h3 Re8 9. Nbd2 Nd7 10. Nc4 Bb6 11. a4 a5 12. Nxb6 cxb6 13. d4 Qc7 14. Ra3 Nf8 15. dxe5 dxe5 16. Nh4 Rd8 17. Qh5 f6 18. Nf5 Be6 19. Rg3 Ng6 20. h4 Bxf5 21. exf5 Nf4 22. Bxf4 exf4 23. Rc3 c5 24. Re6 Rab8 25. Rc4 Qd7 26. Kh2 Rf8 27. Rce4 Rb7 28. Qe2 b5 29. b3 bxa4 30. bxa4 Rb4 31. Re7 Qd6 32. Qf3 Rxe4 33. Qxe4 f3+ 34. g3 h5 35. Qb7 1-0\",\"pieceSymbols\":\"native\",\"navigationBoard\":\"scrollLeft\",\"withFlipButton\":true,\"withDownloadButton\":true,\"nboSquareSize\":32,\"nboCoordinateVisible\":true,\"nboTurnVisible\":true,\"nboColorset\":\"original\",\"nboPieceset\":\"cburnett\",\"nboAnimated\":true,\"nboMoveArrowVisible\":true,\"nboMoveArrowColor\":\"r\",\"idoSquareSize\":32,\"idoCoordinateVisible\":true,\"idoTurnVisible\":true,\"idoColorset\":\"original\",\"idoPieceset\":\"cburnett\"});\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerAfter\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mattisson vs Rubinstein<\/strong> <strong>1929<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ruy Lopez Exchange<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerBefore\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-11\" class=\"rpbchessboard-chessgame\">\n    <noscript>\n        <div class=\"rpbchessboard-javascriptWarning\">\n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        <\/div>\n    <\/noscript>\n    <div class=\"rpbchessboard-chessgameAnchor\"><\/div>\n    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n        jQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n            var selector = '#' + \"rpbchessboard-6adf67fe95dc2-11\" + ' .rpbchessboard-chessgameAnchor';\n            RPBChessboard.renderPGN($(selector), {\"pgn\":\"[Event \\\"Karlsbad\\\"]\\n[Site \\\"Karlsbad CSR\\\"]\\n[Date \\\"1929.08.04\\\"]\\n[Round \\\"4\\\"]\\n[White \\\"Hermanis Karlovich Mattison\\\"]\\n[Black \\\"Akiba Rubinstein\\\"]\\n[Result \\\"0-1\\\"]\\n[ECO \\\"C68\\\"]\\n[PlyCount \\\"76\\\"]\\n[EventDate \\\"1929.07.31\\\"]\\n\\n1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Bd6 8. Be3 c5 9. Ne2 f6 10. Bf4 Be6 11. Bxd6 cxd6 12. Nf4 Bf7 13. Nc3 Ne7 14. O-O-O O-O-O 15. Ncd5 Rhe8 16. f3 Nxd5 17. Nxd5 Bxd5 18. Rxd5 Re5 19. Rhd1 Rxd5 20. Rxd5 Kd7 21. c4 g6 22. Kc2 Ke6 23. Kc3 f5 24. exf5+ gxf5 25. Rd2 b5 26. b3 h5 27. g3 f4 28. Re2+ Kf5 29. Re4 fxg3 30. hxg3 Rg8 31. Rf4+ Ke6 32. Re4+ Kd7 33. g4 Rf8 34. Re3 h4 35. a4 bxa4 36. bxa4 Re8 37. Kd2 Rxe3 38. Kxe3 d5 {0-} 0-1\",\"pieceSymbols\":\"native\",\"navigationBoard\":\"scrollLeft\",\"withFlipButton\":true,\"withDownloadButton\":true,\"nboSquareSize\":32,\"nboCoordinateVisible\":true,\"nboTurnVisible\":true,\"nboColorset\":\"original\",\"nboPieceset\":\"cburnett\",\"nboAnimated\":true,\"nboMoveArrowVisible\":true,\"nboMoveArrowColor\":\"r\",\"idoSquareSize\":32,\"idoCoordinateVisible\":true,\"idoTurnVisible\":true,\"idoColorset\":\"original\",\"idoPieceset\":\"cburnett\"});\n        });\n    <\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"rpbchessboard-spacerAfter\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-text-color has-background\" style=\"background-color:#2385ac\"><strong>Have any thoughts or questions? Let us know in the comments!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening) is one of the oldest and most theorized chess openings&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":2793,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2778"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2778"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2778\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2795,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2778\/revisions\/2795"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2793"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forwardchess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}