Ruy Lopez: Closed

Before the first move

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest and most respected openings in chess. In the Closed System, White aims for long-term central control and a kingside attack, while Black builds a solid, flexible defense. It is a strategic battle where understanding piece placement and pawn structures is more important than memorizing sharp traps.

1. e4White · your move

Push your king's pawn to e4. This move claims a stake in the center and opens diagonals for your queen and light-squared bishop. It is the most popular way to start the game, leading to open and dynamic positions.

1... e5Black

Black replies with e5, the most solid and principled answer. While alternatives like the Sicilian Defense or the French Defense are popular, this move leads to the symmetrical King's Pawn Game, challenging White to prove an advantage.

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 is the most natural developing move, attacking the e5 pawn and preparing for kingside castling. It puts immediate pressure on Black and forces them to defend their central gains.

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

2... Nc6Black

Black plays Nc6, the most common defense for the e5 pawn. You'll often see the Petrov Defense with Nf6 or the Philidor with d6, but this move keeps the game in the most traditional and complex territory.

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 to pin or pressure the knight on c6. This is the defining move of the Ruy Lopez. You aren't necessarily looking to capture immediately, but you are creating long-term pressure on Black's central defense.

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 most resilient response. White must now choose between the Exchange Variation with Bxc6 or the main line retreat to a4. Other tries like the Cozio or Fianchetto defenses are less common today.

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 c6 knight from a distance while keeping your powerful light-squared bishop on the board. This maintains the tension and prepares for future central expansion.

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

4... Nf6Black

Black plays Nf6, attacking your e4 pawn. This is the most flexible continuation. You might also see Black play b5 immediately to kick the bishop again, but Nf6 is the most principled way to develop.

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 your king to safety. In the Ruy Lopez, White often ignores the attack on e4 for a moment, knowing that the rook can quickly move to e1 to defend it or create counter-threats against the Black king.

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... Be7Black

Black plays Be7, entering the heart of the Closed Ruy Lopez. Black avoids the complications of the Open variation to reach a solid position. Other options like b5 or the Neo-Arkhangelsk with Bc5 lead to much sharper play.

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)

Where you stand

The position is a classic strategic struggle. White will likely play Re1 and c3 to prepare d4, aiming for a big center. Black will castle and then look to expand on the queenside with b5, eventually challenging White's center with d6 or d5. Both sides have clear paths to a long, instructive middle game.

• f1-e1 Move the rook to defend e4
• c2-c3 Prepare the d4 central pawn push
• e8-g8 Castle kingside to secure the king
• b7-b5 Expand queenside and kick the bishop
• b1-g3 Route the knight to the kingside