C80 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Open, Harksen Gambit

15/15
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Ba4Nf65.O-ONxe46.d4b57.Bb3d58.c4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Open, Harksen Gambit17 games · Black to move
Only 17 games reach this position at this level — read it loosely.
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
53%972%
41%750%
5.9%10%
Famous games in this line3 master games
Vitolinsh, Alvis (2430) – Sideif Sade, Fikret I (2320)1979½–½Trindade, Sandro Heleno (2320) – Grivas, Efstratios (2365)19831–0Vestergård, Steen S (2343) – Ginderskov, Henrik (2323)20060–1
Heroes of this opening Trindade, Sandro Heleno · Ginderskov, Henrik
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. c4
GambitClassical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
Ruy Lopez: Closed, Rosen AttackC88 5…Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.d4Ruy Lopez: Closed, Basque GambitC84 5…Be7 6.d4 exd4 7.e5 Ne4 8.c3Ruy Lopez: Closed, Anti-MarshallC88 5…Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4
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
Videos on YouTube ↗Wikipedia: Ruy Lopez ↗