Chess Openings·Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation

Open Game

Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6

Step through

8 / 8
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

One of the oldest and most trodden paths in the game. Pawns push forward and take room away from the opponent. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on e4 · e5. 2 pieces have left the board. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
8 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
25
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 0
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
r1bqkbnr/1pp2ppp/p1p5/4p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 5

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  2. 1…e5Black: Pawn e7→e5
  3. 2.Nf3White: Knight g1→f3
  4. 2…Nc6Black: Knight b8→c6
  5. 3.Bb5White: Bishop f1→b5
  6. 3…a6Black: Pawn a7→a6
  7. 4.Bxc6White: Bishop b5→c6 (capture)
  8. 4…dxc6Black: Pawn d7→c6 (capture)

Nearby lines

first 6 moves shared

Ruy Lopez, Morphy Defence…Ba4Ruy Lopez, Open Variation…Ba4 Nf6 O-O Nxe4Ruy Lopez, Closed Variation…Ba4 Nf6 O-O Be7Ruy Lopez, Marshall Attack…Ba4 Nf6 O-O Be7Ruy Lopez…Nf3 Nc6 Bb5Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defence…Nf6

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation?

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6 dxc6

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Open Game — Everything that starts 1.e4 e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 8 moves it is White to move.