Why play the Ruy Lopez?

Okay, I looked on the site for a group that may be currently dedicated to this age-old opening, because I didn't want to create one over top of what already existed.  However, no one has yet created a group around 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 surprisingly.

Here is a link to a group I just created -

http://www.chess.com/groups/home/the-radical-ruy-lopez

As more people join the group, I will begin to search for vote and team chess for the group.  It should prove to be a pretty formidable group, since there are quite a few people who play the Ruy Lopez.

I want to start playing the Ruy Lopez.

I play the Italian Game now and they seem somewhat similar.

I like the Ruy.  It promises White a positional advantage throughout the game.  The downside is that the theory is insane.

The Ruy intimidates me for some reason so whenever my opponent tries to play it I respond with d4 going into the Scotch game.

Yes you are right, the theory is insane.  But it may be too that you could choose one line that you like and learn the ups and downs of it.  I am sure there are quite a few obscure lines in the Ruy, or at least offbeat, that if played correctly, White can at least have equality, or maybe more.  For instance, what about the Berlin where White plays d3?  It is a small pawn move, but is it best?  Positionally, does it look like the kind of position you might want to play?

Huge fan of the Ruy Lopez here, from both sides.  Personally, I find it to be a rich opening that lends itself well to play based on an understanding of strategic concepts, rather than rote memorization of dozens of moves of razor-sharp lines.  Even the side variations like the Open Defense or Schliemann are quite rich & interesting... well, all except for the Exchange variation.

Its my favorite opening. The theory is pretty insane, but it's concepts are pretty easy to understand. The marshall gambit is really cool, the first time I had somebody play it against me I was knocked back on my feet. Yeah, its fun for both sides, lots of options. A lot of people on this site play the exchange variation against me, which I'm fine with, but it isn't that cool and nobody usually knows what to do after I castle queenside, and a lot of times white will take the pawn, which is just horrible.

I'm real new to this... but is the exchange variation where the bishop captures the knight after Morphy's Defense?

If so, white usually captures the pawn.. Is that good for black?

Thanks..

Taking the pawn in the exchange variation isn't good for white. Black can win it back with Qd4 and will be equal if not better after.

Here's how the exchange variation goes:

GMs love the Ruy because, as Killabeez said, it does promise White a slight or sometimes big positional advantage if White plays it correctly. However, sometimes the advantage is only ever-so-slight, and a good Black player will make it out of the opening with near equality, so a lot of GMs play it for Black as well.

The Sicilian Defense is all the rage now, but learning how to play a good Ruy from both sides of the board is one of the trials that every player faces if he or she wants to become a master.

I mean, against a good or better player, Black never really achieves perfect equality with the Ruy Lopez, which is why a lot of players lean toward the Sicilian. But the Ruy is still one of the very best ways to defend against 1. e4. Theoretically, I think it makes a lot more sense than some of the other solid defenses out there, i.e. Caro-Kahn, French, King's Indian, etc. As Black, you challenge the center, develop all of your minor pieces (well, the light Bishop is the hardest piece to develop if White is playing well), castle, and initiate some kind of Knight offense or pawn lever to open up the game when you're ready.

Everyone should play the Ruy Lopez :)

I really appreciate that. I agree, I think black is better there too.

Ruy Lopez - Morphy Defense and Ruy Lopez - Berlin Defense are by far the two most popular versions I think.

The light Bishop for White is far too valuable to immediately trade for the Knight; however, if Black lets White castle early and doesn't defend his e-pawn, then by all means take Knight + pawn for Bishop. What usually happens is Black forces the White Bishop to a4, b3, or c2, which are all great squares for the Bishop to be placed to have an impact on the game.

Black's defense looks intimidating because of all the pawns he pushes in the center, but with White locking down e4 and d4, it's really hard for Black to do much of anything.

a good line to this one of sample by MYAH actualy ruy lopez is one of the arsenal of great bobby fischer

It has a lot of tactics to it

myah i dont like the example you created because white's light square bishop moved to many times in the opening while black develops his pieces!

Mutable moves in the open is something to be looked down upon. In a positional game like the Ruy Lopez though its ok. Myah’s example is played by people who under stand that two bishops can be a powerful threat.