21 Jul 04
Originally posted by AzN1337c0d3rI don't think it's just this site. If you log onto any of the game database sites like chesslab.com and do a quick search, you'll see that in king pawn openings, by far the most popular 2nd move for White is Nf3. And when Black makes his usual response, Nc6, White's most popular third move is Bb5. (Second most popular is Bc4, the Italian Game)
Is it just me, or do a lot of people prefer the Ruy Lopez on this chess site?
21 Jul 04
Originally posted by hypermo2001I've noticed that after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nc6 4.0-0, many novices just can't resist chopping off the pawn on e4, without really knowing the theory behind doing it.
it's popular everywhere...from novice to GM
the funny thing is that it is a HARD opening to learn to play well! and believe the novices don't play it well (e.g. the Open Ruy is played badly)
21 Jul 04
I don't see why anyone playing black would play in to the Ruy Lopez. I've seen very few Ruy Lopez games (played by professionals, anyway) that led black to a winning position. Everything I examine in the end of this opening is pure advantages for white. Damn that Ruy Lopez. You'd think he'd learn the friggin' Sicilian all ready! 😵
-Kev
21 Jul 04
Originally posted by seraphimvultureI used to believe that about the Ruy Lopez. What I think is actually closer to the truth is that the advantage will go to whoever is more prepared. The Ruy Lopez has been thoroughly mined for just about every novelty or pet line you can think of, but still new wrinkles are being discovered all the time. When I go to a tournament and my opponent affords me the opportunity to play the Ruy Lopez, I can only assume that he knows the Ruy Lopez well enough to not be afraid of seeing it. And I know that I know it pretty well, too. Now it's just a matter of who plays it better.
I don't see why anyone playing black would play in to the Ruy Lopez. I've seen very few Ruy Lopez games (played by professionals, anyway) that led black to a winning position. Everything I examine in the end of this opening is pure advantages for white. Damn that Ruy Lopez. You'd think he'd learn the friggin' Sicilian all ready! 😵
-Kev
21 Jul 04
Originally posted by Natural ScienceMost people I am playing seems to like 3.... a6 better
I've noticed that after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nc6 4.0-0, many novices just can't resist chopping off the pawn on e4, without really knowing the theory behind doing it.
and instead of chopping off the pawn on e4, i would play Be7
21 Jul 04
Originally posted by Natural ScienceI was trying to play it on a little board but.......black plays two times Nc6! can you tell me the correct third move? is Nf6?thanks.........
I've noticed that after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nc6 4.0-0, many novices just can't resist chopping off the pawn on e4, without really knowing the theory behind doing it.
21 Jul 04
1 edit
Originally posted by Natural ScienceAfter 1 e4 e4 2 Nf3 Nc6, 3 ..... a6 is the Morphy Defence; 3 .... Nf6 is the Berlin Defence both are defenses to the Ruy Lopez. The Morphy is by far more popular, but the Berlin is playable though cramped. For you aggressive players who still want to play the Black side of the Lopez, I suggest 3 ..... f4 the Schliemann, but "book" up on it a little; it's full of traps. I don't think most players have ever faced it!
Even without a6, it's still the Ruy Lopez. The signature move of the Ruy Lopez is White's Bb5.
For those of you who want to know how NOT to play the Ruy Lopez as White, I offer Game 574523. Note particulary how I somehow managed by about move 15 to have all my pieces "deployed" on the 1st or 2nd rank! I happened to have the position set up on a board on a coffee table and my uncle took a look at it and demanded "What are you playing?". I said, "the Lopez". "You mean the SLOWPEZ" he said in disgust.
With some modesty I would say that the endgame in that game may be worthy of study for how to draw a opposite color Bishop ending when you have an inferior position; I think I did everything technically correct in the endgame. If anyone has any ideas how Black could have won with correct play in the endgame I'd be interested to hear them.