Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5

ECO C69

The Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3 h5.

It is catalogued under code C69 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move h5 is chosen by Black on move 6.

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.