Ruy Lopez

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5

ECO C60

The Ruy Lopez is a chess opening reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, catalogued under code C60 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Bb5 is chosen by White on move 3.

38 named continuations branch from this position, including the Alapin Defense and the Brentano Gambit.

Named variations

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Beat the Ruy Lopez course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.