C65 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Beverwijk Variation

8/8
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5Nf64.O-OBc5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Beverwijk Variation1.8M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Zukertort Gambit34%626k60%
20%356k54%
19%347k54%
9.7%177k57%
7.3%134k65%
5.1%92k52%
2.9%52k52%
0.8%14k48%
0.6%11k55%
0.4%6.7k52%
Famous games in this line1.2k master games
Anand, Viswanathan (2791) – Topalov, Veselin (2796)2009½–½Gashimov, Vugar (2759) – Topalov, Veselin (2805)2010½–½Shirov, Alexei (2745) – Topalov, Veselin (2812)2009½–½Harikrishna, P. (2763) – Nakamura, Hi (2787)20161–0Leko, Peter (2739) – Anand, Viswanathan (2790)2010½–½Kamsky, Gata (2725) – Topalov, Veselin (2796)20090–1Topalov, Veselin (2796) – Karjakin, Sergey (2706)20091–0Adams, Michael (2755) – Leko, Peter (2743)2000½–½
Heroes of this opening Topalov, Veselin · Harikrishna, P.
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C65
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5
SolidClassical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →
Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Zukertort GambitC65 5.c3 · 2 deeper linesRuy Lopez: Classical Defense, Benelux VariationC64 5.c3 O-O 6.d4 Bb6 · 1 deeper lineRuy Lopez: Classical Variation, Modern Main LineC64 5.c3 O-O 6.d4 Bb6 7.Bg5
Nearby lines in the family
Ruy Lopez: Bird's Defense DeferredC70 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nd4Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Cozio DefenseC70 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nge7Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Caro VariationC70 3…a6 4.Ba4 b5
From the archives

Ruy López de Segura was a 16th-century Spanish priest whose 1561 book systematized 3.Bb5 — alongside advice like seating your opponent facing the sun. The 'Spanish torture' has been a world-championship battleground from Steinitz to Carlsen: slow pressure, forever.

Study this opening
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