How do we identify opening lines?

Question

How many opening moves are needed before we can identify that such moves fall into a particular well-known opening such as Ruy Lopez, London, kings gambit, an so on? And after such identifying moves, can we we say that such opening is already completed and the player is on his own for the development of his pieces?

Answer 1

Openings are typically decided by ECO Codes.

So as few as one move and as many as 5-6 or more moves could decide an opening. For example, as soon as you play 1. b3 it is a Nimzo-Larsen attack. (A01)

As soon as 1. e4 c5 is played it is a Sicilian defence. (B20) But there are many variations. If the game continues 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6, it becomes the Kan variation. (B41) So on and so forth. You can find a full list of recognized openings and their ECO codes in the link above.

As for your second question, no, after the identifying moves have been played, the opening is typically not completed yet. For example, take this line of the Budapest gambit.

[FEN ""]
[Event "Budapest Gambit"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Nf3

This is as many moves as it takes to recognize the opening as Budapest Gambit, Adler Variation (A52). However, you can hardly say the opening is over.

[FEN ""]
[Event "Budapest Gambit"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5 3. dxe5 Ng4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Bf4 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 Bxc3 7. bxc3 Qe7 8. Qd5 f6 (8... Qa3)

This is a very common continuation to the Budapest Gambit, even though these moves aren't needed to identify it as such - it is all still theory. The player isn't "on his own", there are still many established lines to follow.

Answer 2

How many opening moves are needed before we can identify that such moves fall into a particular well-known opening such as Ruy Lopez, London, kings gambit, an so on?

It depends on the opening. Some are more strictly defined than others; e.g. a game is really only a "Ruy Lopez" if it reached the position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, but lots of different lines where white plays an early d2-d4 and black's ...c7-c5 is answered by d4-d5 are called "Benoni".

Some variations have a well-known name on move 12-ish (like the Soltis variation in the Dragon), whereas a major line used in world championship matches like 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 g6 doesn't even have a real name at all.

There's really no logic to it, it's a bunch a historical accidents and traditions.

But these are only the names of openings. They are useful when talking to somebody about your game, or when you need a title for your new book or you are looking for a book, and for nothing else.

They are completely unrelated to how much a given player knows about some opening. Especially opening books often start from some named position.

Answer 3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_chess_openings has what you want.

And after such identifying moves, can we we say that such opening is already completed and the player is on his own for the development of his pieces

Openings certainly don't "complete" like that. In fact, ECO openings only give you the head start. Whether a player is on his own depends on the skills. For example, grandmasters certainly understands better chess than the wikipedia can give.