Ruy Lopez: Open, Howell Attack

Before the first move

The Howell Attack in the Open Ruy Lopez is an aggressive attempt by White to disrupt Black's solid center. By placing the queen on e2 early, White prepares a quick development of the rook to d1 and challenges the knight on e4, leading to a sharp middlegame where both sides fight for central control.

1. e4White · your move

Push your pawn to e4. This move claims the center and opens diagonals for your queen and light-squared bishop, setting the stage for an active game.

1... e5Black

Black replies e5, entering the Open Game. While alternatives like the French Defense (e6) or the Caro-Kann (c6) are common, this leads to the most classical battles for central supremacy.

Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)

2. Nf3White · your move

Develop your knight to f3. This move puts immediate pressure on Black's e5 pawn and prepares for kingside castling, following the principle of developing pieces toward the center.

Other paths here: Ke2 (Bongcloud Attack) · d4 (Center Game) · c4 (English Opening: The Whale) · Ne2 (King's Pawn Game: Alapin Opening)

2... Nc6Black

Black defends with Nc6. This is the most robust response, though the Petrov Defense (Nf6) or the Philidor Defense (d6) are also popular ways to handle the pressure on e5.

Other paths here: d5 (Elephant Gambit) · Qe7 (Gunderam Defense) · Bc5 (King's Pawn Game: Busch-Gass Gambit) · f6 (King's Pawn Game: Damiano Defense)

3. Bb5White · your move

Slide your bishop to b5. This is the Ruy Lopez, one of the oldest and most respected openings. You are indirectly attacking the e5 pawn by pinning or threatening the knight that defends it.

Other paths here: Nxe5 (Irish Gambit) · g3 (King's Knight Opening: Konstantinopolsky) · c4 (King's Pawn Game: Dresden Opening) · b4 (King's Pawn Game: Pachman Wing Gambit)

3... a6Black

Black plays a6, the Morphy Defense. This is the main line, though Black could also choose the Berlin Defense (Nf6), which has a reputation for being extremely solid and hard to crack.

Other paths here: Bb4 (Ruy Lopez: Alapin Defense) · g5 (Ruy Lopez: Brentano Gambit) · a5 (Ruy Lopez: Bulgarian Variation) · Nge7 (Ruy Lopez: Cozio Defense)

4. Ba4White · your move

Retreat your bishop to a4. You maintain the pressure on the knight and keep the bishop on a powerful diagonal while avoiding the immediate trade on c6.

Other paths here: Bxc6 (Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation) · Bc4 (Spanish: 3...a6 4.Bc4)

4... Nf6Black

Black plays Nf6, the most active continuation. Other moves like Bc5 or d6 are playable, but this knight move forces White to address the threat against the e4 pawn immediately.

Other paths here: Nd4 (Ruy Lopez: Bird's Defense Deferred) · Bb4 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Alapin's Defense Deferred) · b5 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Caro Variation) · Bc5 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Classical Defense Deferred)

5. O-OWhite · your move

Castle kingside to bring your king to safety. You are choosing to ignore the threat to your e4 pawn for a moment, trusting in your central counter-play and quicker development.

Other paths here: d3 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Anderssen Variation) · Bxc6 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Bayreuth Variation) · c3 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Jaffe Gambit) · d4 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Mackenzie Variation)

5... Nxe4Black

Black takes the pawn with Nxe4. This is the defining move of the Open Variation. If Black preferred a more closed game, the move Be7 would lead to the traditional Closed Ruy Lopez.

Other paths here: g6 (Ruy Lopez: Brix Variation) · d5 (Ruy Lopez: Central Countergambit) · Bc5 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Neo-Arkhangelsk Variation) · b5 (Spanish: 5.O-O b5)

6. d4White · your move

Strike in the center with d4. You are opening lines for your pieces and challenging Black's knight on e4. This is the most energetic way to regain the pawn and seize the initiative.

Other paths here: Qe2 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Tartakower Variation) · Nc3 (Ruy Lopez: Open, Knorre Variation) · Re1 (Spanish: Open, 6.Re1)

6... b5Black

Black plays b5, forcing the bishop to move again. This is essential to unpin the knight. If Black tried to hold the center with exd4, White would gain a very strong attack after Re1.

Other paths here: exd4 (Ruy Lopez: Open, Riga Variation) · Be7 (Spanish: Open, 6.d4 Be7)

7. Bb3White · your move

Move your bishop back to b3. From here, the bishop eyes the d5 square and the f7 pawn, remaining a potent attacking piece while staying safe from the pawns.

Other paths here: Nxe5 (Ruy Lopez: Open, Friess Attack) · d5 (Ruy Lopez: Open, Richter Variation)

7... d5Black

Black plays d5, anchoring the knight. This is the most solid way to play. Without this move, White would simply capture on e5 and leave Black with a cramped and difficult position.

8. dxe5White · your move

Capture the pawn on e5. This restores material balance and creates a central pawn that restricts Black's pieces, particularly the knight on f6 which now lacks its best square.

Other paths here: c4 (Ruy Lopez: Open, Harksen Gambit) · a4 (Spanish: Open, 7.Bb3 d5 8.a4) · Nxe5 (Spanish: Open, 8.Nxe5)

8... Be6Black

Black plays Be6, a standard developing move. Black could also try Ne7, the Zukertort Variation, which aims to reroute the knight to more active squares later in the game.

Other paths here: Ne7 (Ruy Lopez: Open, Zukertort Variation)

9. Qe2White · your move

Bring your queen to e2. This is the Howell Attack. You are preparing to bring your rook to d1 to pressure the d5 pawn and the black queen, while also eying the e4 knight.

Other paths here: Nbd2 (Ruy Lopez: Open, Bernstein Variation) · a4 (Spanish: Open, 8...Be6 9.a4) · Be3 (Spanish: Open, 8...Be6 9.Be3) · c3 (Ruy Lopez: Open)

Where you stand

The position is dynamically balanced. White will look to place a rook on d1 to pressure d5, while Black often maneuvers the knight from e4 to c5 to challenge the b3 bishop. Both sides must balance central stability with the need for rapid piece activity in this high-tension line.

• f1-d1 Place the rook on d1 to pressure d5
• e4-c5 Relocate the knight to challenge the b3 bishop
• c2-c3 Solidify the d4 square and blunt the bishop
• f8-e7 Complete kingside development and prepare to castle