C69 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, King's Bishop Variation

10/10
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Bxc6dxc65.O-OBd6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, King's Bishop Variation704k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
56%397k61%
11%77k56%
9.8%69k56%
8.8%62k49%
6.3%44k48%
5.4%38k53%
1.1%7.9k50%
0.7%4.8k47%
0.2%1.1k49%
0.1%72046%
Famous games in this line678 master games
Nisipeanu, LD. (2683) – Carlsen, M. (2850)2015½–½Ivanchuk, Vassily (2751) – Carlsen, Magnus (2733)2008½–½Radjabov, Teimour (2717) – Aronian, Levon (2756)2006½–½Petrosian, TL. (2611) – Carlsen, M. (2851)20160–1McShane, L. (2675) – Mamedyarov, S. (2772)2021½–½Ivanchuk, V. (2726) – Vidit, S. (2715)20170–1Vallejo Pons, Francisco (2702) – Sasikiran, Krishnan (2711)20091–0Guseinov, G.. (2665) – Vidit, S.. (2726)2021½–½
Heroes of this opening Carlsen, M. · Vidit, S. · Vallejo Pons, Francisco
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 Bd6
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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