The Open, Howell Attack is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C81. 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. Qe2, 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.
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The Open, Howell Attack 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. Qe2. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C81.
The Open, Howell Attack is ECO C81. 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 Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Qe2 at +0.14 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.
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.