C67 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Open Berlin Defense, Showalter Variation

11/11
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5Nf64.O-ONxe45.d4Nd66.Ba4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Open Berlin Defense, Showalter Variation13k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
46%5.9k54%
36%4.6k56%
6.4%81144%
5.9%75646%
5.3%67644%
0.2%2259%
0%633%
0%642%
0%540%
0%333%
Famous games in this line132 master games
Nepomniachtchi, I.. (2792) – Radjabov, T.. (2765)20211–0Erigaisi, Arjun (2801) – Wei Yi (2755)20251–0Morozevich, Alexander (2770) – Grischuk, Alexander (2763)2012½–½Nepomniachtchi, I.. (2792) – Nakamura, Hi (2736)20210–1Mamedyarov, S.. (2770) – Karjakin, Sergey (2757)20211–0Erigaisi, Arjun (2797) – Vidit, S. (2726)20241–0Firouzja, Alireza (2763) – So, W. (2752)2023½–½Mamedyarov, S.. (2770) – Nakamura, Hi (2736)2021½–½
Heroes of this opening Erigaisi, Arjun · Nepomniachtchi, I.. · Nakamura, Hi · Mamedyarov, S..
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C67
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4
SolidClassical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →
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Nearby lines in the family
Ruy Lopez: Closed, Center AttackC84 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d4Ruy Lopez: Closed, Morphy AttackC84 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Nc3Ruy Lopez: Open, Knorre VariationC80 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.Nc3
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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