Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d5

ECO C60

The Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d5.

It is catalogued under code C60 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move d5 is chosen by Black on move 3.

2 named continuations branch from this position, including the Fricke Gambit and the Harding Gambit.

The Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit is a line of the Ruy Lopez. The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Game, is a chess opening that begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. Read the complete Ruy Lopez guide: what it is, how to reach it, its main variations, how to play against it, and its history.

Named variations

• Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit, Harding Countergambit, Fricke Gambit — ECO C60
• Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit, Harding Gambit — ECO C60

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.