The Noah's Ark Trap is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C88. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. d4 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Qxd4 c5, reaching the position shown below after 20 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after ten moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.
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The Noah's Ark Trap goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. d4 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Qxd4 c5. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C88.
The Noah's Ark Trap is ECO C88. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. d4 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Qxd4 c5 at -2.71 at depth 18, which is a clear advantage for Black. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.