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Ruy Lopez is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. It is classified C60 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Game, develops the bishop to b5 where it pressures the knight defending Black's e5 pawn. It is the oldest continuously played opening at the top level and remains the main battleground of 1.e4 e5, valued because White gets a lasting positional grip rather than a quick attack.
The bishop on b5 creates a long-term question about the c6 knight that shapes the whole game. Most main lines lead to slow manoeuvring positions with a closed centre, where both sides regroup pieces behind their pawn chains before committing to a plan.
Players who prefer strategic, long-game chess over immediate tactics, and who are comfortable playing positions where the plan matters more than the calculation.
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. Open any of them to load the position on the board.