Open, Classical Defense
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.Bb5a6
- 4.Ba4Nf6
- 5.O-ONxe4
- 6.d4b5
- 7.Bb3d5
- 8.dxe5Be6
- 9.c3Be7
262 games
Black's conservative 9...Be7 in the Open Ruy Lopez, developing quietly and preparing to castle rather than pressing f2 with the sharper 9...Bc5.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Classical Defense
In the Open Ruy Lopez (Open Spanish), 9...Be7 is the traditional, conservative answer to 9. c3. It develops and prepares castling instead of eyeing f2 with 9...Bc5. The usual reply is 10. Nbd2, after which Black can support the e4 knight with 10...O-O 11. Bc2 f5, or choose 10. Nbd2 Nc5 11. Bc2 d4 12. Nb3. The move 10. Re1 transposes to the named Main Line. Engines give White a slight edge.