June 30, 2026

[Katherine Wise](https://blog.duolingo.com/author/katherine/)

# Chess openings: What is the Ruy Lopez?

Learn how to use the Ruy Lopez to level up your game!

Learning openings requires understanding chess notation, the system for naming pieces and moves. [Get a refresher on chess notation here](https://blog.duolingo.com/chess-notation/)!

## Ruy Lopez: 4 quick facts

- The Ruy Lopez is also known as the Spanish Game.
- It is named for a Spanish priest, [Ruy López de Segura](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruy_L%C3%B3pez_de_Segura?ref=blog.duolingo.com), and was first seen in a manuscript from the late 1400s, making it one of the oldest chess openings ever recorded.
- A favorite at the [elite level](https://blog.duolingo.com/how-to-become-a-chess-grandmaster/) and played in countless world champion matches, this is one of the most [analyzed](https://blog.duolingo.com/chess-computers-vs-humans/) chess openings in history, with some [lines](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#line) studied over 30 moves deep!
- It’s complex, rich in strategy, and often leads to slower, [maneuvering](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#maneuvering) [middlegames](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#what-comes-after-the-opening).

## Ruy Lopez: the moves

Here are the moves for the Ruy Lopez:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5

## Play smart from the start

If you want to dive deep into opening [theory](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#theory) and outstudy your opponents in a slow, [solid](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#solid), [positional](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#positional) game, play the Ruy Lopez.

If you’re looking for more openings, check out [our guide featuring over 30 options](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/) for every skill level!

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