The Open, Riga Variation is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C80. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 exd4, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move after six moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the d-file; the e-file file is fully open.
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, Riga Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 exd4. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C80.
The Open, Riga Variation is ECO C80. 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 exd4 at +0.88 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up two points of material. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the d-file; the e-file file is fully open.