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Ruy Lopez

Intermediate
white repertoire·6 parts

The Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5). White's bishop pins down the knight defending Black's e5-pawn — the start of a long, patient squeeze for space.

Main idea

Tuck your bishop back to safety (to a4, then b3 or c2) and prepare c3 and d4 to build a pawn centre.

Use that extra space to slowly squeeze Black, then shift your pieces toward the kingside to attack.

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Start

Key Strategic Ideas

First, the six ideas behind every Ruy Lopez line. Once they click, the lines feel logical instead of memorised.