The central idea
The Ruy Lopez develops the bishop to b5 to increase pressure on the e5 center and the c6 knight. White gets a rich strategic opening with early tension and many playable structures.
Typical plans
- Castle and maintain pressure before deciding how to resolve the center.
- Use c3 and d4 when the position supports a central expansion.
- Value the bishop's influence over a superficial chase for material.
Common mistakes
- Taking on c6 without considering the pawn structure and bishop pair.
- Spending tempi on a bishop retreat while the center changes.
- Starting the queenside expansion before castling.