Italian vs Spanish

Which is better theoretically ? The Ruy Lopez or The Italian Game? Also which one do you prefer and why ?

Not sure one is better theoretically, but super GM's play the Ruy Lopez most frequently when it's an important match on the line! At our level, it doesn't matter. 

I started playing chess with the Ruy Lopez, then years later switched to Italian, which I still play. I like Italian better...

1) It has a lot of different strong variations to try out. Risky? Try Evans Gambit. Positional? Giuoco Pianissimo. And everything in between. I find the Ruy Lopez follows the same moves more often. 

2) Italian targets the weak f7 square right away. I find this more fun then attacking the knight. It makes for some cool tactical chances. 

All I got for now... Might add more when they come to mind Lol 

Italian, there are some really cool gambits you can play. 

Evans gambit, Deutsch gambit, Greco gambit are some of them I know. 

Playing gambits will improve your tactical vision. And teach you how to attack.

Hope this helps

Italian ,  Ruy Lopez is also good though but Italian is better

The RUY Lopez is more popular especially among higher rated players almost twice that compared to the Giuoco Piano. Statistically, in both white wins more often at 38.3 % and 42.2% respectively but black only wins 25.5% in the Spanish game whereas in the Italian game it is 33.1% (365 Chess). Therefore the RUY Lopez is theoretically stronger than the GIUOCO Piano. It may be a matter of taste though – the Spanish has a longer lasting initiative with less speculation whereas the Italian has more tactical threats with combinations being predominant. Personally I prefer the Scotch or the Scotch gambit which is more related to the Italian game where piece activity abounds.

I also found a post on Reddit that posed the question re Ruy Lopez vs Italian: "Why is the Ruy Lopez played so much more than the Italian game? The bishop on c4 seems more natural than on b5". - I thought this answer might be helpful:

"In the open games Black generally gets equality if he manages to play the freeing break d5   without making some other concessions.

The Italian has gained a lot of popularity recently at top level.

U mean that u also play it(I know that others are also playing it more now tho)

Is a complicated question. Italy has won 4 World Cups, while Spain 1, but two of the Italian victories were long ago, in the dawn of football, also the World Cup in Italy wasn't exactly clean, with Mussolini and all that. Spain style of play is more fun, and when they played in the final of the 2012 EUROS won 4-0.

But again, four victories at the World Cup. Pick your poison.

I like italian 

Ruy lopez is easily defendable

Many GMs prefer Spanish, but some like Bc4. We are not GMs. Learn the principles and basic techniques of an opening you like. I would not study the specific lines too deeply - you will soon find yourself out of book even if you play GMs, never mind a 1500. Then you need to apply what you know to the position in front of you. At our level, I would say that the best thing to do is to enjoy the game and not make too much of a chore of it. Nobody is paying you, yes? If you want to become a master that is a totally different question. In that case, get yourself a good coach, not an opening.

The Italian Game and The Spanish Game(Ruy Lopez) are equally good.The Ruy Lopez is more popular is the higher levels,and is known the Spainsh Torture because people at the higher level study this opening very well.The Italian Game is one of the oldest openings in chess.I oftenly the Italian Game because I'm at the beginner level and this opening is recommednd for beginners.But I also some games with the Spainsh Game and the games are quite good. 

It depends on the lines you wanna play and your playstyle, theoretically I think spanish is better, but Italian is just more natural.

Btw I don't think that the Bishop on c4 is more natural then b5 because on b5 it puts pressure on apiece which controls the center, when on c4 it's a bit loose

IMO the italian is pack full of gambits and crazy lines such as the Evans Gambit, Greco Gambit, Fried Liver Attack, Lolli Attack, etc. Many of these originate from the 3. ... Nf6 4. Ng5 line, however, even the more popular Giuoco Piano is suceptible to the Evan's Gambit.

Italian OP in the chat guys!

if i want a safe game id play the Ruy Lopez. but i like the Italian to

Ok...lol I rather keep the title as Italy vs Spain....

The italian.

Pros: 

- not tons of theory

- usually isn't drawish

- can get wild for both sides, but can also get positional

- pizza and pasta

Cons: 

- none if you like pizza and pasta

i mean... its very risky though

but thats what i like. because its real chess, not studied or planned