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  3. /Ruy Lopez: Open, Howell Attack (C81)
C81

Ruy Lopez: Open, Howell Attack

Key moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4

The Open Variation of the Ruy Lopez is a sharp, tactical approach where Black captures the e4 pawn. It leads to open positions with active piece play for both sides.

History & Notable Players

A classical response that has been popular since the 19th century. It offers Black dynamic play in exchange for some structural weaknesses.

Top Players in this Opening

Mamedyarov,S14 gamesKamsky,G9 gamesAbdusattorov,Nodirbek8 gamesGiri,A7 gamesKeres, Paul6 gamesTal, Mihail6 gamesCaruana,F5 gamesCarlsen,M5 gamesEuwe, Max5 gamesSmyslov, Vassily5 games

Related Openings

C80 - Ruy Lopez: Open408C82 - Ruy Lopez: Open217C83 - Ruy Lopez: Open, Tarrasch Trap274C84 - Ruy Lopez: Closed957C85 - Ruy Lopez: Closed, Delayed Exchange219C86 - Ruy Lopez: Closed, Worrall Attack179C87 - Ruy Lopez: Closed, Averbakh Variation194C88 - Ruy Lopez: Closed1115C89 - Ruy Lopez: Marshall Attack437

Best Games

Carlsen,M vs Praggnanandhaa,R1/2-1/2
12th Norway Chess 2024 2024Notable
Caruana,F vs Giri,A1-0
4th Sinquefield Cup 2016 2016Notable
Morozevich,A vs Caruana,F1-0
7th Mikhail Tal Memorial 2012Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Taxco Interzonal 1985Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Linares 1981Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1/2-1/2
World Championship 29th 1978Notable
Keres, Paul vs Euwe, Max1-0
World Championship 18th 1948Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1/2-1/2
World Championship 18th 1948Notable
Keres, Paul vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman0-1
World Championship 18th 1948Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Euwe, Max1-0
World Championship 18th 1948Notable
Carlsen,M vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
FIDE World Rapid Team 2024
Navara,D vs Mamedyarov,S0-1
7th Gashimov Mem Rapid 2021
Ponomariov,R vs Oparin,G1/2-1/2
Lindores Abbey Tal Mem 2021
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
World Stars Sharjah Int 2020
Nakamura,Hi vs Carlsen,M1-0
Lindores Abbey Final 8 2020
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Vidit,S0-1
52nd Biel GM Rapid 2019 2019
Giri,A vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Croatia GCT 2019 2019
Giri,A vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2018 2018
Giri,A vs Mamedyarov,S0-1
chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018 2018
Caruana,F vs Mamedyarov,S0-1
GCT Rapid Paris 2017 2017

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