Ruy Lopez: Closed

Before the first move

The Ruy Lopez Closed is one of the most respected and deeply studied openings in chess history. White aims for long-term central control and a kingside squeeze, while Black maintains a solid, flexible position. You will explore the standard dance of the light-squared bishop and the maneuvers that define this classic battle.

1. e4White · your move

Push your pawn to e4. This move claims the center, opens lines for your queen and bishop, and is the most popular way to start a game. You are establishing an immediate presence in the middle of the board.

1... e5Black

Black plays e5, the most solid response to the king's pawn opening. While alternatives like the Sicilian Defense or the French Defense are popular, this move leads to the most classical open games.

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

2. Nf3White · your move

Bring your knight to f3. This is a multi-purpose move: you develop a piece toward the center, prepare for castling, and immediately attack Black's e5-pawn.

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

2... Nc6Black

Black replies with Nc6, defending the pawn. Other tries like the Petrov Defense with Nf6 or the Elephant Gambit with d5 are sharper, but this remains the main highway of opening theory.

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 that defends e5. This is the Ruy Lopez, an opening that creates long-term positional tension by attacking the defender of the center.

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. By kicking the bishop, you force White to clarify the situation. Black could also choose the Berlin Defense with Nf6 or the Schliemann Gambit with f5.

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. This maintains the pressure on the knight and the diagonal while avoiding an early trade. You want to keep this powerful piece for the upcoming middlegame struggle.

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

4... Nf6Black

Black plays Nf6, developing the kingside. This is the most common continuation, though Black has alternatives like the Classical Defense with Bc5 or the Deferred Steinitz with d6.

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. This is a critical step in the Ruy Lopez. You protect your king and bring your rook closer to the center, often preparing to support the e4-pawn with Re1.

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 Closed Variation. This is a very sturdy setup. Alternatively, Black could play the Open Ruy Lopez by capturing on e4, leading to much more tactical and forcing lines.

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. Re1White · your move

Slide your rook to e1. This move overprotects your e4-pawn and clears the f1-square for your knight or bishop. It is a prophylactic move that prepares for the long maneuvering battle ahead.

Other paths here: d4 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Center Attack) · d3 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Martinez Variation) · Nc3 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Morphy Attack) · Bxc6 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Delayed Exchange)

6... b5Black

Black plays b5, forcing the bishop to the b3-square. This is a necessary expansion to relieve the pressure on the c6-knight. The main alternative here is the Averbakh Variation with d6.

Other paths here: d6 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Averbakh Variation)

7. Bb3White · your move

Move your bishop to b3. This is its most active home, where it eyes the f7-square and remains a powerful force in the center. You have completed the standard opening dance of the light-squared bishop.

Where you stand

The position is a classic struggle of maneuvering. White usually plans c3 and d4 to build a strong center, while Black will castle and likely play d6. Watch for the famous knight maneuver where White's b1-knight travels through d2 and f1 to reach g3 or e3, and Black's counterplay involving Na5 to challenge the b3-bishop.

• b1-g3 Route the knight to the kingside via f1
• c2-d4 Prepare the d4 break with c3
• c6-a5 Challenge the strong b3 bishop with Na5
• e8-g8 Castle to secure the king