C69
Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit
Key moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest and most classic chess openings. White develops the bishop to b5, putting indirect pressure on the e5 pawn through the knight on c6. It leads to rich strategic positions with deep plans for both sides.
History & Notable Players
Named after the 16th-century Spanish priest Ruy López de Segura. It has been a cornerstone of chess opening theory for over 500 years and remains one of the most popular openings at all levels.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
C60 - Ruy Lopez341C61 - Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation75C62 - Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense96C63 - Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense258C64 - Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation136C65 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense1951C66 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap154C67 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Berlin Wall2019C68 - Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation284
Best Games
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Caruana,F1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 2025Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Gukesh,D1-0
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Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Tanenbaum,Zachary1-0
PNWCC Super G60 Feb Gp1 2021Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Tanenbaum,Zachary1/2-1/2
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 21 2021Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz 2018Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
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Praggnanandhaa,R vs Aronian,L0-1
Tata Steel India Blitz 2018Notable
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
Baku FIDE Grand Prix 2014 2014Notable
Kamsky,G vs Carlsen,M0-1
Sinquefield Cup 2013 2013Notable
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Beliavsky,A1/2-1/2
40th Olympiad Open 2012Notable
Leko,P vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial 2008Notable
Svidler,P vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
WCh 2007Notable
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Grischuk,A1-0
FIDE WCh KO 2004Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Beliavsky, Alexander G0-1
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1997Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Topalov, Veselin1-0
Linares 14th 1997Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Adams, Michael1-0
Tilburg Fontys 1996Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1-0
Linares 1988Notable
Gdanski, Jacek vs Anand, Viswanathan0-1
Wch U20 1987Notable
Balshan, Amikam vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
WchT U26 1972Notable
Fischer, Robert James vs Spassky, Boris V1/2-1/2
World Championship 28th 1972Notable