How to Play the Ruy Lopez Chess Opening

The Ruy Lopez, or Spanish chess opening, has been around for generations and is still popular today. It is a sharp opening that fights for immediate control of the center and aims at great piece development. Whether you're playing the white or black side of this opening, the game is sure to be a thrill ride.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chessboard or PC chess software

1. Play king pawn to e4, the most popular and versatile of all chess openings. The idea is to stake a major claim in the center, while at the same time freeing up the queen and bishop for quick development and castling.

2. Play knight to f3 when black plays e5, the only move that works with this opening. If black responds any differently, the Ruy Lopez is impossible. This attacks the black e5 pawn and develops a piece, which is important in chess.

3. Play bishop to b5 when black brings out its own knight to protect the e pawn. While there is an immediate threat (bishop takes knight and knight on f3 captures the e pawn), it isn't a "real" threat--in the sense that, after white captures the e pawn, black moves the queen to e7, attacking the knight and winning the white e pawn with check. After black plays a6, the normal response is to back up the bishop to a4, aiming to ultimately land on b3, where it can pressure the f7 square.