Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Modern Main Line

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.d4 Bb6 7.Bg5

ECO C64

The Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Modern Main Line is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Bc5 5.c3 O-O 6.d4 Bb6 7.Bg5.

It is catalogued under code C64 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Bg5 is chosen by White on move 7.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Opening Tricks Hall of Fame 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.