Leaving the knight on e7
On e7 it blocks the f8 bishop. Bring it to g6 (or c6 after an exchange) before developing the rest.
Facing an opening · Black, 1.e4 e5
How to play against the Ruy Lopez
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The Ruy Lopez, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, is White’s most respected answer to 1...e5. The course meets it with 3...Nge7, a flexible knight move that avoids the long main lines.
- Lines to play
- 5
- Quiz positions
- 6
Learn the Ruy Lopez move by move
You play Black. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.
Key ideas
Support c6 with the other knight
- 3...Nge7 means Bxc6 can be met by Nxc6, keeping the pawn structure intact.
The knight goes to g6
- From g6 it covers e5 and f4 and opens the f8 bishop. It is the main idea against 4.O-O.
...a6 and ...d5
- Once the knight is on g6, ...a6 questions the bishop and ...d5 strikes the centre.
Little theory to learn
- White’s usual Ruy plans assume 3...a6 or 3...Nf6. The Cozio sidesteps them early.
The main lines
4.O-O Ng6 5.c3
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7 4.O-O Ng6 5.c3 a6 6.Ba4 d5 7.exd5 Qxd5 8.d4 Bg4
Black plays ...a6 and ...d5, recapturing with the queen.
4.O-O Ng6 5.d4
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7 4.O-O Ng6 5.d4 exd4 6.Nxd4 Bc5 7.Nb3 Bb6 8.c4 d6
White opens the centre; ...Bc5 and ...Bb6 keep the bishop active.
Exchange: 4.Bxc6
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7 4.Bxc6 Nxc6 5.O-O Be7 6.Nc3 O-O 7.Nd5 f5 8.d3 d6
The knight recaptures and Black keeps a healthy structure.
4.c3 d5
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7 4.c3 d5 5.Qa4 a6 6.Bxc6+ Nxc6 7.d4 Bd7 8.Qc2 Bg4
Against an early c3, Black strikes at once.
4.Nc3 g6
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7 4.Nc3 g6 5.d4 exd4 6.Nd5 Bg7 7.Bg5 h6 8.Bf6 Bxf6
Against Nc3 the bishop fianchettoes instead.
Find the move
6 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.
Position 1 of 6
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The ideaSupport c6 with the other knight.
Find the move for Black.
Common mistakes
Opening the centre too early
...d5 needs the knight on g6 and ...a6 first; otherwise White’s pieces arrive first.
Ignoring Nd5 jumps
After ...g6 or ...Ng6, d5 can be a strong square for White’s knight. Keep ...c6 or a trade ready.
Related openings
Frequently asked questions
What is the best defence to the Ruy Lopez?
3...a6 (the Morphy Defence) and 3...Nf6 (the Berlin) are the main lines. They need a lot of theory; 3...Nge7, the Cozio, is a practical alternative.
Is the Cozio Defence sound?
Yes. It is rarer than 3...a6, but sound, and it leads to positions most White players have not studied.
How do I avoid the Ruy Lopez as Black?
Only by not playing 1...e5 or 2...Nc6. Once you play both, 3.Bb5 is White’s choice, so you need an answer to it.
Learn every line of the Ruy Lopez
The Gladiator 1...e5 teaches it as a repertoire: 80 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.
A free account also reviews your games and shows where you left the lines. Sign up