Chess opening · ECO C60

Ruy Lopez

The Ruy Lopez starts 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. It ranks #18 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. Black to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... e5Black pushes the e-pawn two squares to e5, staking a claim in the center.
  3. 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.
  4. 2... Nc6Black develops the queenside knight to c6.
  5. 3. Bb5White develops the light-squared bishop to b5. It now attacks the knight on c6.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common Black moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. a6 is the most popular next move among players rated under 1200 and 2000 and up, though the favorite changes in between.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
Under 1200a6 27%Nf6 26%d6 11%
1200–1399Nf6 21%a6 20%d6 18%
1400–1599d6 25%a6 24%Nf6 14%
1600–1799a6 29%d6 27%Bc5 11%
1800–1999a6 47%d6 15%Bc5 12%
2000 and upa6 45%Nf6 22%Bc5 15%

Related openings

King's Knight Opening: Normal VariationThe line this one grows fromRuy Lopez: Morphy DefenseA variation of this lineRuy Lopez: Berlin DefenseA variation of this lineRuy Lopez: Steinitz DefenseA variation of this line

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