C87 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Averbakh Variation

12/12
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Ba4Nf65.O-OBe76.Re1d6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Closed, Averbakh Variation188k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
60%113k57%
25%47k57%
11%20k51%
1.6%3.1k53%
1.5%2.9k60%
0.6%1.1k45%
0.6%1.0k56%
0.3%51855%
0.2%29250%
0%4541%
Famous games in this line707 master games
Giri, A. (2782) – Mamedyarov, S. (2808)20181–0Grischuk, A. (2766) – Mamedyarov, S. (2808)2018½–½Ivanchuk, V. (2726) – Mamedyarov, S. (2799)20170–1Topalov, Veselin (2801) – Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2709)2006½–½Anand, Viswanathan (2788) – Adams, Michael (2718)2005½–½Najer, E. (2699) – Mamedyarov, S. (2791)20170–1Leko, Peter (2749) – Adams, Michael (2741)2005½–½Ponomariov, Ruslan (2743) – Adams, Michael (2745)2002½–½
Heroes of this opening Mamedyarov, S. · Giri, A.
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C87
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 d6
Classical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
Ruy Lopez: Open, Riga VariationC80 5…Nxe4 6.d4 exd4Ruy Lopez: Open, Skipworth GambitC80 5…Nxe4 6.Re1 d5Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin GambitC69 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5
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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