It’s principled and although it has lots of theory, it’s not so sharp that if you forget it, you will lose the game instantly.
The problem is that it can be extremely complicated, if a beginner plays the ruy lopez he most likely plays it like the italian, or four knights, in that case its better to just play something else.
Also I hope we agree a beginner shouldn't learn something complicated like the marshall or berlin
Also I hope we agree a beginner shouldn't learn something complicated like the marshall or berlin
In truth though most every opening can get pretty complicated.
Reminds me a horror experience after which I still haven't dared to play 1. ... c5 again. :-)
"The Spanish Torture ... The Spanish primarily distinguishes itself from other open games by its concealment of strategic aims and, in connection with this, its maintaining the tension between the opposing forces ..." - Savielly Tartakower (~1924)
"... As a first step in mastering the Ruy Lopez, you need a solid, simple repertoire that will allow you to play practice games with your new opening without fearing nasty surprises. ... 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 d3 ... This should be by far the most common position you reach after 3 Bb5. Until, that is, you feel ready to branch out from 5 d3 to other, sharper variations. ..." - GM Neil McDonald (2011)
"... As a first step in mastering the Ruy Lopez, you need a solid, simple repertoire that will allow you to play practice games with your new opening without fearing nasty surprises. ... 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 d3 ... This should be by far the most common position you reach after 3 Bb5. Until, that is, you feel ready to branch out from 5 d3 to other, sharper variations. ..." - GM Neil McDonald (2011)
people say all sorts of silly things. Beginners struggle with any opening. Besides you opponent will not the opening either so it will be fine anyway
@kindaspongey said in #5:
> 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 d3 ... This should be by far the most common position you reach after 3 Bb5.
When I've played Ruy Lopez, exchange variation (4. Bxc6) avoids at least some of these "nasty surprises", just having to remember not to capture the likely Bishop in g4.
> 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 d3 ... This should be by far the most common position you reach after 3 Bb5.
When I've played Ruy Lopez, exchange variation (4. Bxc6) avoids at least some of these "nasty surprises", just having to remember not to capture the likely Bishop in g4.
Ruy hopeless.
"... Alekhine advised beginners not to play the Spanish game. We also recommend you get some experience first by playing relatively simple openings - the Scotch and Italian games - and only then move on to the Spanish one. ..." - Journey to the Chess Kingdom by Yuri Averbakh and Mikhail Beilin
"... Playing the Exchange Variation requires far less theoretical knowledge than the 4 Ba4 main lines ... Equalising against the Exchange Variation seems to be an easier task than against 4 Ba4 but this remains a sensible system for players who like endings or have little time or inclination to study theory. ... After [1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Bxc6 dxc6 5 O-O Bg4 6 h3 h5 7 hxg4 hxg4] any knight move is met by the crushing ...Qh4!. ..." - IM John Shaw (2003)
"... Playing the Exchange Variation requires far less theoretical knowledge than the 4 Ba4 main lines ... Equalising against the Exchange Variation seems to be an easier task than against 4 Ba4 but this remains a sensible system for players who like endings or have little time or inclination to study theory. ... After [1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Bxc6 dxc6 5 O-O Bg4 6 h3 h5 7 hxg4 hxg4] any knight move is met by the crushing ...Qh4!. ..." - IM John Shaw (2003)
The Spanish (Ruy Lopez) rapidly branches into multiple complex variations, each of which has its own strategic and tactical nuances. It is not an appropriate learning environment for BEGINNERS.
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