Ruy Lopez
The most analyzed opening in chess history. White pins Nc6 with Bb5, indirectly pressuring e5 three moves deep. Every world champion has played this. Every world champion has suffered in it too.
Starting moves
The Ruy Lopez typically begins with the following sequence. In GoWinChess you'll drill these moves until they're automatic — so you never have to think twice in the opening.
What you'll learn
This repertoire includes 49 annotated lines (13 beginner, 25 intermediate, 11 advanced) covering the most important variations and the tactical traps that catch unprepared opponents. You progress from forgiving beginner lines up to the sharpest main-line theory. A few of them:
- Ruy Lopez Exchange: Bxc6 dxc6 Nxe5 — White Wins a Free Pawn
- Ruy Lopez: Ng4 Rim Knight — h3 Bxc6 Wins Material
- Ruy Lopez: Ng4 h3 f5 — Exchange Captures Win
- Ruy Lopez: Ng4 h3 d6 — hxg4 Opens the h-file
- Ruy Lopez: Nh5 Rim Knight — Nxe5 Nxc6 Wins Tempo
- Ruy Lopez: Nh5 Qh4 Attack Fails to Nf3 Retreat
How to study the Ruy Lopez
Reading about an opening isn't the same as remembering it over the board. GoWinChess uses spaced repetition — the same memory science behind Anki and medical-school study — to schedule each position right before you'd forget it. You Learn a line, then Drill it from memory, then the algorithm brings it back on the perfect day. New to the game? Start with Learn Chess in 15 Minutes.
Learn the Ruy Lopez for free
Drill every line with spaced repetition. Start with one opening free — no credit card.
Start the interactive course →Play the other side of this matchup
Study how to handle the Ruy Lopez from the other side of the board.
Related openings
One of the oldest openings ever played. White develops the bishop to c4, eyeing the sensitive f7 pawn. Leads to rich, instructive middlegames that have stood the test of 500 years.
Kasparov's 1990 World Championship surprise. White opens the center immediately with 3.d4 rather than developing more pieces first. Direct, principled, and still devastating at the highest level.
The original romantic opening — White sacrifices a pawn on move two for immediate central control and a ferocious attack. Beloved by Morphy, Spassky, and anyone who just wants to have fun.
The sharpest response to 1...c5. White opens with 2.Nf3 and 3.d4, entering a labyrinth of theory where opposite-side castling, piece sacrifices, and mutual attacks are the norm. The highest-stakes opening in chess.