1.e4 e5 — Open Games · C60
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Opening, is one of the oldest and most deeply analysed chess openings. White immediately pressures Black's knight on c6 — the defender of the e5-pawn — with the bishop on b5. Named after the 16th-century Spanish priest Ruy López de Segura, it has been used by nearly every World Champion.
White's long-term plan is to build a strong pawn center with d4 and systematically outplay the opponent in a strategic battle. The Berlin Defense (3...Nf6) became famous as Vladimir Kramnik's drawing weapon against Kasparov in 2000. The Morphy Defense (3...a6) and Closed Variation are White's main attacking routes.