C69 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Bronstein Variation

10/10
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Bxc6dxc65.O-OQd6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Bronstein Variation33k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
48%16k47%
13%4.3k49%
9.3%3.1k46%
8.3%2.7k43%
8%2.6k48%
5.2%1.7k56%
3.7%1.2k40%
3.7%1.2k49%
0.3%10356%
0.2%7237%
Famous games in this line1.4k master games
Leko, Peter (2741) – Ivanchuk, Vassily (2781)20081–0Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2719) – Svidler, Peter (2754)20091–0Naiditsch, Arkadij (2664) – Anand, Viswanathan (2803)2006½–½Kamsky, Gata (2705) – Eljanov, Pavel (2761)2010½–½Rapport, R. (2715) – Maghsoodloo, Parham (2733)2024½–½Kasimdzhanov, R. (2706) – Svidler, P. (2732)2014½–½Malakhov, Vladimir (2715) – Eljanov, Pavel (2717)2009½–½Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2723) – Caruana, Fabiano (2697)2010½–½
Heroes of this opening Leko, Peter · Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C69
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Qd6
Classical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
Ruy Lopez: OpenC80 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4Ruy Lopez: ClosedC84 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7Ruy Lopez: Brix VariationC78 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.

Study this opening
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