Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Normal Variation

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

ECO C69

The Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Normal Variation 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.

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

The defining move O-O is chosen by White on move 5.

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.