C61 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation, Paulsen Variation

10/10
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5Nd44.Nxd4exd45.O-ONe7
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation, Paulsen Variation10k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
40%4.2k58%
31%3.2k57%
6.6%68858%
5.2%54552%
3.5%36959%
3.5%36050%
1.9%20052%
1.5%15847%
1.4%14758%
1.3%13556%
Famous games in this line16 master games
Vitiugov, N. (2668) – Kovalev, Vl (2539)2024½–½Costa, Leonardo (2472) – Safarli, E. (2596)20240–1Horvath, Jozsef (2520) – Vladimirov, Evgeny (2490)19860–1Hazai, Laszlo (2480) – Knezevic, Milorad (2500)1985½–½Hracek, Zbynek (2475) – Knezevic, Milorad (2445)19901–0Prie, Eric (2465) – Anic, Darko (2445)1997½–½Hazai, Laszlo (2470) – Petran, Pal (2420)19861–0Saltaev, Mihail (2365) – Vladimirov, Evgeny (2525)19871–0
Heroes of this opening Safarli, E. · Vladimirov, Evgeny · Hracek, Zbynek · Hazai, Laszlo
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C61
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. O-O Ne7
Classical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
Ruy Lopez: OpenC80 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4Ruy Lopez: ClosedC84 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7Ruy Lopez: Brix VariationC78 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O g6
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.

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