Chess opening · ECO C84
Ruy Lopez: Closed
The Ruy Lopez: Closed starts 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7. It ranks #129 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.
Move by move
- 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
- 1... e5Black pushes the e-pawn two squares to e5, staking a claim in the center.
- 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.
- 2... Nc6Black develops the queenside knight to c6.
- 3. Bb5White develops the light-squared bishop to b5. It now attacks the knight on c6.
- 3... a6Black advances the a-pawn to a6. It now attacks the bishop on b5.
- 4. Ba4White moves the bishop from b5 to a4. It now attacks the knight on c6.
- 4... Nf6Black develops the kingside knight to f6.
- 5. O-OWhite castles kingside, moving the king off the center file and bringing the rook into play.
- 5... Be7Black develops the dark-squared bishop to e7.
What players choose next, by rating
The three most common White moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Re1 is the most popular next move in every rating band.
| Rating | Most common | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1399 | Re1 100% | – | – |
| 1400–1599 | Re1 67% | d3 9% | c3 9% |
| 1600–1799 | Re1 70% | c3 10% | d3 7% |
| 1800–1999 | Re1 82% | d3 7% | c3 6% |
| 2000 and up | Re1 84% | d4 7% | d3 5% |
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