Ruy Lopez: Closed

Before the first move

The Ruy Lopez is one of the most prestigious openings in chess. In this Closed Variation, White builds a rock-solid center and prepares a slow, strategic squeeze. Black aims for a flexible defense, neutralizing White's light-squared bishop while preparing a counter-strike in the center.

1. e4White · your move

Push your pawn to e4. This classic opening move claims the center and opens diagonals for your queen and light-squared bishop. It is the first step in establishing a dominant presence in the heart of the board.

1... e5Black

Black replies e5, establishing a symmetrical stake in the center. While sharp alternatives like the Sicilian Defense or the French Defense exist, this leads to the Open Game. Other less common tries include the Duras Gambit or the Barnes Defense.

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, putting immediate pressure on Black's e5-pawn and preparing for kingside castling. You are forcing Black to decide how to defend 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 the e5-pawn with Nc6. This is the main line, though players sometimes experiment with the Petroff Defense (Nf6) or the Elephant Gambit (d5). By choosing the knight move, Black invites the Spanish or Italian games.

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 signature move of the Ruy Lopez. You aren't just developing; you are putting indirect pressure on the e5-pawn by attacking its defender, the knight on c6.

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 most popular reply, though the Berlin Defense with Nf6 is a very famous and solid alternative. Other options like the Cozio (Nge7) or the Fianchetto Defense (g6) are also seen.

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. By moving back, you maintain the pressure on the knight and keep your valuable light-squared bishop on the board. You are waiting for Black to commit more pieces before deciding on your next central action.

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

4... Nf6Black

Black plays Nf6, attacking e4. This is the most common follow-up, though the Classical Defense Deferred with Bc5 or the Bird's Defense with Nd4 are also playable. Black is pushing White to defend the e-pawn or enter sharp complications.

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 subtle move; you are actually offering the e4-pawn as a gambit. If Black takes it, you will use your rook on the e-file to create dangerous threats against the uncastled 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, choosing the Closed Variation. This is more cautious than the Open Spanish (Nxe4) or the Arkhangelsk (Bb7). Black is content to develop slowly and wait for White to reveal their central plan.

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. Now that your king is safe, you must defend your e4-pawn. This move also prepares to relocate your knight from b1 to d2 and then to f1, a classic maneuver in this opening.

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, kicking the bishop. This is almost always played here to free the knight. If Black plays d6 first, it leads to the Averbakh Variation, but b5 is the most direct way to challenge White's setup.

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

7. Bb3White · your move

Move your bishop to b3. From this square, the bishop is still very active, eyeing the f7-square and the center. It is tucked away safely from pawn attacks while remaining a powerful long-range piece.

7... d6Black

Black plays d6, reinforcing the center. This is the main line of the Closed Spanish. Black could also castle immediately, but d6 is a useful prophylactic move that prevents White from playing an early d4 with tempo.

Other paths here: O-O (Ruy Lopez: Closed) · Bb7 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Trajkovic Counterattack)

8. c3White · your move

Push your pawn to c3. This move does two things: it prepares the d4 push to challenge the center and provides an escape square for your bishop on c2 if Black attacks it with a knight move to a5.

Other paths here: d4 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Rosen Attack)

8... O-OBlack

Black castles, completing the initial development. Now the real strategic battle begins. Black often follows up with Na5 to challenge the b3-bishop or Bg4 to pin the f3-knight, though castling is the most flexible priority.

Other paths here: Bg4 (Spanish: Closed 7...d6 8.c3 Bg4) · Na5 (Spanish: Closed 7...d6 8.c3 Na5)

9. h3White · your move

Push your pawn to h3. This is a crucial prophylactic move. You prevent Black from playing Bg4, which would pin your knight and make it difficult to play d4. You are securing your position before launching your central strike.

Other paths here: Bc2 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Lutikov Variation) · a3 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Suetin Variation) · d4 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Yates Variation)

Where you stand

The position is a classic strategic battlefield. White will aim to play d4 and maneuver the b1-knight toward the kingside via d2 and f1. Black often responds by repositioning the c6-knight to a5 or d7 to allow the c-pawn to challenge the center. Both sides have deep, long-term plans in this rich and complex structure.

• b1-g3 Maneuver the knight to the kingside
• d2-d4 Strike in the center with d4
• c6-a5 Attack the bishop and free the c-pawn
• c7-c5 Challenge the center with the c-pawn