Ruy Lopez: Open (C82)

The Open is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C82. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine 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.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Ruy Lopez: Open — position after c3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2Nf3Nc6
3Bb5a6
4Ba4Nf6
5O-ONxe4
6d4b5
7Bb3d5
8dxe5Be6
9c3

ECO: C82

Stockfish: +0.32 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Ruy Lopez lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Open?

The Open goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C82.

What is the ECO code for the Open?

The Open is ECO C82. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.

Is the Open good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3 at +0.32 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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.

What kind of position does the Open lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.