The Ruy Lopez: Essentials (White Repertoire)

By Theo van Stratum

The Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5), also called the Spanish Opening, is one of the oldest and most thoroughly studied replies to 1...e5. Rather than attacking Black's position directly, White develops naturally and puts quiet, long-term pressure on the knight defending e5 -- a strategic idea that has shaped opening theory for well over a century. Covers White's approach to Black's four main defensive tries: the classical Closed Main Line (3...a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7), the resilient Berlin Defence (3...Nf6) and its famous queen-trading endgame, the sharper Open Variation (5...Nxe4), and the simplifying Exchange Variation (4.Bxc6).