Openings

Ruy López Opening: Morphy Defense, Exchange Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6

The Exchange variation of the Ruy Lopez involves White meeting Black's most common defense 3...a6 by 4.Bxc6 (instead of the more common retreat 4.Ba4). This doubles Black's pawns, but also gives him the two bishops.

Pros:

  • White has a kingside majority
  • White tends to gain space in the center with a subsequent d2-d4
  • The game becomes and unbalanced endgame where experience usually wins

Cons:

  • Black gets the two bishops
  • White's position can become vulnerable on the light squares
  • Black gets a useful open file in the center after 4...dxc6.
Lesson

Learn the Ruy Lopez: Tricky Systems

Learn the key ideas in three tricky Ruy Lopez variations. This video covers the Schlieman Variation, the Exchange Variation, and the Open Variation. Each line is important, but you can play it well if you know the basics.
19 min
10 Challenges
Top Players