C85 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Delayed Exchange

11/11
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Ba4Nf65.O-OBe76.Bxc6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Closed, Delayed Exchange57k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
93%53k47%
6.5%3.7k39%
0.5%2729%
0%2433%
0%138%
0%10%
0%1100%
0%10%
Famous games in this line2.4k master games
Carlsen, M. (2870)Ding Liren (2801)20190–1Caruana, F. (2789)Carlsen, M. (2839)20250–1Caruana, F. (2776)Carlsen, M. (2837)2025½–½Nepomniachtchi, I. (2795)Ding Liren (2788)2023½–½Grischuk, Alexander (2773)Aronian, Levon (2805)20110–1Ivanchuk, Vassily (2779)Topalov, Veselin (2796)2009½–½Giri, A.. (2763)Ding Liren (2805)20211–0Ivanchuk, Vassily (2787)Leko, Peter (2755)2007½–½
Heroes of this opening Ding Liren · Carlsen, M. · Aronian, Levon · Giri, A..
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C85
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6
Classical
Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines
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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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