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Ruy Lopez

Open, Main Line

C80positionaltactical

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5a6
  4. 4.Ba4Nf6
  5. 5.O-ONxe4
  6. 6.d4b5
  7. 7.Bb3d5
  8. 8.dxe5Be6
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Main line of the Open Ruy Lopez after 8...Be6, a balanced position in which White decides how to deal with Black's plan of trading off the b3-bishop.

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About the Main Line

The main line of the Open Ruy Lopez (Open Spanish) is reached after 8...Be6, when the b3-bishop can no longer go to d5 and may be exchanged by ...Na5 or ...Nc5. White has three main options. The traditional 9. c3 keeps the bishop by meeting ...Nc5 with Bc2. The Bernstein Variation, 9. Nbd2, accepts the trade and recaptures on b3 with the knight. The Howell Attack, 9. Qe2, prepares Rd1 against the d-pawn. Engines rate the position as roughly balanced.

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