Ruy Lopez

1. e4 e5, 2. Nf3 Nc6, 3. Bb5

The Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) used to be one of the most popular openings in chess. I don't personally play the position very often. I generally like controlling the center earier with a d4 or f4 move. That doesn't mean my opening is any stronger than the Ruy Lopez. Its just a matter of preference.

Ruy Lopez Trend
ChessGames.com plots opening popularity over time. Back in the 70’s this opening was played about 14 times every 1,000 games. That’s quite a bit considering how many variations can arise 3 moves deep. Today the Ruy Lopez is played less than once per 1,000 matches.

Ruy Lopez Wikipedia
The wikipedia offers quite a few ways to deal with the Ruy, such as the basic exchange variation and the Morphy Defense. I think the Marshall Attack looks promising but I haven’t studied the opening enough to have a real preference. I would probably start with 3...a6 (Morphy Defense) and take it from there.

Ruy Lopez Games
More variations...if you click on a game you are taken to a huge database of games played with that variation.

Opening Ideas
If you scroll down you will see a section called 'Want to Improve? Play the Ruy Lopez'. This talks about how GM Nigel Davies took his game to a new level by playing the opening. This is interesting. I regularly find myself playing the same robotic openings. Maybe I should faze those out for now and pick up a new set.