Questions tagged [ruy-lopez]
The Ruy Lopez (or Spanish Game) is the chess opening which begins with the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5.
6
questions
33
votes
5answers
14k views
Why is the Ruy Lopez such a common opening?
The Ruy Lopez opening is characterized by the moves:
[fen ""]
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5
Why is this opening so popular? It does not appear to be particularly special/unique for white or black, so ...
26
votes
3answers
3k views
Why always 4…dxc6 and not 4…bxc6 in the Ruy Lopez Exchange?
[FEN "r1bqkbnr/1ppp1ppp/p1B5/4p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R b - - 0 1"]
In the Ruy Lopez Exchange, black always takes back the bishop with 4...dxc6. In Timothy Taylor's 2011 book Slay the Spanish, he ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Why is the Cozio defense in the Ruy Lopez not played more often and what's white's best try to defeat it?
The Cozio defense arises after these moves:
[FEN ""]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7
At first, this looks like just another dubious opening, but I found it surprisingly hard to prove an advantage with ...
30
votes
3answers
5k views
Why is the Ruy Lopez a sensible opening for white?
As an amateur, I prefer the Scotch game as opposed to Ruy Lopez, since I feel that White loses tempo and Black seems to gain tempo with queenside counterplay in the main line.
[title "Ruy Lopez"]
[...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
Should I play the Cozio defense deferred?
The Cozio defense to the Ruy Lopez:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 Nge7
4. O-O
The Cozio defense deferred:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nge7
The deferred variation speaks ...
1
vote
3answers
3k views
Morphy Defence in Ruy Lopez
I don't get the point of Morphy's Defence in the Ruy Lopez opening:
[FEN ""]
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6
If White's purpose was to exchange Bishop for Knight and take the e5 pawn after it loses ...