Ruy Lopez Question

I would like to know the theory behind white's response to Black playing ...Nxe4 in the various variations.

In the Berlin if Black plays 4...Nxe4, White usually responds with d4, however in the Closed Breyer after 5...Nxe4 white responds with Re1. Also in the so-called Open Defence d4 is mostly played.

My Question is, even this early stage of the opening, should I play d4 or Re1 to Black's Nxe4?

Since the characteristic move of the Breyer happens on move 9, I have no idea what you're talking about 5...Nxe4 in the Breyer

In any case, typically you play d4 in response to early Nxe4 in the Ruy.

Thanks for your reply. I seem to have confused myself with the Breyer. That, of course, is the Open Spanish. I guess I'll just have to go over some master games and see if I can figure out why d4 is preferred over Re1.

In the open spanish d4 is more common than Re1, although Re1 isn't a bad move.

Same for Berlin, Re1 is fine.

Thanks again. Here is where I confused myself. The Author mentions Nxe4 in the introduction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mOJpBF1VLM

When you click the "about" tab on his youtube page, he admits he's below master level. This doesn't necessarily mean his videos are bad! But... most people like this make poor videos, in spite of their good intentions. In the 1 or 2 minutes I watched I already have a number of issues with what he says.

1) He says 5...Nxe4 is "a bad idea for black," but it's been played by a number of world champions, and a host of super GMs. It's a perfectly fine move. All he had to do was mention it leads to a variation the video doesn't cover, and briefly explain how white can win his pawn back.

2) He implies 6.Re1 is the best response, but GM preference (how often a move had been played), statistics (how well each move has scored in practice) and engines will tell you to play 6.d4. I assume 6.Re1 is considered not as good because you lose bishop pair... which isn't so important unless you're master level. I also assume 6.Re1 is not white's preference because black's position (see below) is very solid.

3) He calls the position below "much better for white" but it's just equal.

We can compare black's very solid position (above) to the main line (below). The main line has a lot more play in the position i.e. white has more opportunity to play for a win... this doesn't mean white is better, it means through the course of a normal game he will be able to pose more questions to black.

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It's probably useful to note that opening study is a common pitfall for new players. You only need the opening principals, and to memorize... maybe 5 moves in 2 or 3 openings.

Re1 tends to be more drawish than d4, especially in the open spanish.

Thanks to all. I have decided I'll study the d4 lines.