Ruy Lopez: Open, Howell Attack

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Qe2

ECO C81

The Ruy Lopez: Open, Howell Attack is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Qe2.

It is catalogued under code C81 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Qe2 is chosen by White on move 9.

One named continuation branches from this position: the Ekstrom Variation.

Named variations

• Ruy Lopez: Open, Howell Attack, Ekstrom Variation — ECO C81

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Marshall Attack 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.