C80 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Open, Bernstein Variation, Luther Line

19/19
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Ba4Nf65.O-ONxe46.d4b57.Bb3d58.dxe5Be69.Nbd2Bc510.Qe1
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Open, Bernstein Variation, Luther Line11 games · Black to move
Only 11 games reach this position at this level — read it loosely.
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
64%70%
18%20%
9.1%10%
9.1%10%
Famous games in this line16 master games
Luther, Thomas (2566) – Krasenkow, Michal (2641)2002½–½Dzhumaev, Marat (2498) – Iuldachev, Saidali (2559)2004½–½Luther, Thomas (2495) – Mikhalevski, Victor (2500)19961–0Hyldkrog, Lars (2535) – Yakushev, Vladimir Sergeevich (2454)20061–0Kindermann, Stefan (2535) – Simacek, Pavel (2439)2004½–½Knoll, Hermann (2643) – Shishkov, Pavel Aleksandrovic (2330)20061–0Luther, Thomas (2510) – Gretarsson, Helgi Ass (2450)1994½–½Anagnostopoulos, Dimitrios (2495) – Skembris, Spyridon (2450)1997½–½
Heroes of this opening Luther, Thomas · Hyldkrog, Lars · Knoll, Hermann
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C80
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2 Bc5 10. Qe1
Classical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
Ruy Lopez: Closed, BreyerC95 5…Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 …Ruy Lopez: Open, Motzko AttackC82 9.c3 Bc5 10.Qd3Ruy Lopez: Open, Berger VariationC80 8.a4 Nxd4 9.Nxd4 exd4 10.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.

Study this opening
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