simplifychess.com's
guide to
The Ruy
Lopez
How To Play The Ruy Lopez,
The Theory Behind It,
And How To Counter It
Berlin Defense
White’s Plans
Place both rooks on open file
Trade a Knight For a Bishop
(so Black won't have bishop pair)
Black’s Plans
Pin White’s Knight to Queen
Place rook on open d-file
Castle Kingside
Exchange Variation
White’s Plans
Exchange center pawns
(To trade pieces off board)
Attack Queenside Flank using a-pawn
Move Queen to Kingside
Black’s Plans
Try to trade off doubled pawn
Exchange wing for center pawn
(Open up position for Bishops)
Move Queen to Queenside
Avoid trading pieces
(Advantageous For Bishop pair)
Closed Defense
White’s Plans
Set up c3-d4 to gain center control
Transfer Queen’s Knight to Kingside
Black’s Plans
Expand on Queenside Flank
Counter-attack center with d-pawn
Coordinate attack on e-pawn
Arkhangelsk Defense
White’s Plans
Set up c3-d4 to gain center control
Attack Queenside flank with a-pawn
Retreat Bishop Here
Black’s Plans
Swing rook to b-file
Pin White’s Knight
Open up b-file for rook