Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bb5/3...a6/4. Ba4/4...Nf6/5. O-O/5...Be7/6. Re1/6...b5/7. Bb3/7...d6/8. c3/8...O-O

Ruy Lopez Main Line rd bd qd rd kd pd bd pd pd pd pd nd pd nd pd pd pl bl pl nl pl pl pl pl pl pl rl nl bl ql rl kl Ruy Lopez Ruy Lopez Main Line White's most consistent move is 9. d4 freeing the queenside minor pieces and contesting the centre, however, it walks into 9...Bg4 after which the conventional wisdom is that Black has nothing to worry about. For this reason the d4 push is almost always prepared with 9. h3. A few masters have recently attempted to prove that 9. d4 is possible. White may be fed up with all these preparatory moves and play 9. d3 allowing the safe development of the queenside, but this gives Black complete freedom, claims less space than d4 and limits the scope of the light-squared bishop. The successful chess player must have patience! Ruy Lopez References fi:Shakkiaapinen/Peli/1. e4/1...e5/2. Rf3/2...Rc6/3. Lb5/3...a6/4. La4/4...Rf6/5. 0-0/5...Le7/6. Te1/6...b5/7. Lb3/7...d6/8. c3/8...0-0