Originally posted by jonzzzzThat's how almost every single opening you play is. Some more extreme than others, but the Ruy is about as theoretical as the Sicilian (in general). I don't play 1..e5 so it's not like I could help you if I wanted to. But The closed defense seems to be the most respected.
I hate c5 because if White Knows What to do you would loose easily.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 (I think...my line may be sketchy here) 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 O-O and theory continues for a long time. The Chigorin Variation used to be very popular, but I'm not sure if it is now. I'd say that if you know the basic principles behind the opening, and the first 6-7 moves you should be fine at your level. Wait for somebody that knows the opening to respond, I don't actually use the Ruy (from either side) and so me giving anybody advice on it is a bit hard.
Originally posted by jonzzzzI don't know much about it either.The few times I played it I tried the Marshall attack or the Jänisch(Schliemann as it's called in english).But I do know where you can get some info.
I just Know the bird defence.
e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Bb4 Nd4 Nxd4 exd4.
Here you can explore the opening:
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/explorer?node=21724&move=3.5&moves=e4.e5.Nf3.Nc6.Bb5&nodes=21720.21721.21722.21723.21724
Here you can find a bunch of games to study the lines you like best (eco code for the ruy lopez is C60 to C99):
http://www.chessgames.com/
That should get you going 🙂
Originally posted by jonzzzzBird's is very hard to play, partly because its so unlike any other opening, also because black will sometimes have to defend for a very long time. It is a great specialist weapon but you really need to put a lot of work into it. On the other hand, nine times out of ten your opponent will be as confused as you are in the resultant positions.
I just Know the bird defence.
e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Bb4 Nd4 Nxd4 exd4.
If you're looking for something unusual and relatively straight-forward v the Spanish you could try the Cozio, ie 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7, later developing either with g6 and Bg7 or exd4, Ng6 and B-somewhere.
Otherwise, it's best imo to try to learn (one of) the mainlines, eg the Berlin, Archangel, Closed, Open, Marshall. There is a lot to learn though, in each of them.
Originally posted by exigentskyMore than a bit, it is one of the main variations of the Berlin defense (next to 4. ... Bc5). Kramnik plays this.
The defense I like against the Ruy is as follows: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4
[fen]r1bqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2n5/1B2p3/4n3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 0 5[/fen]
You could try it, but there is a bit of theory even though it isn't mainline.
Originally posted by TommyCMany Bird players go astray when you don't take on d4 but play 4.Bc4 instead, and they think they can afford 4. ... b5 to push your bishop away (instead of taking on f3). Follows 5.Bxf7+ Kxf7 6.Nxd4 exd4? 7.Qh5+ and you will win the rook on a8.
Bird's is very hard to play, partly because its so unlike any other opening, also because black will sometimes have to defend for a very long time. It is a great specialist weapon but you really need to put a lot of work into it. On the other hand, nine times out of ten your opponent will be as confused as you are in the resultant positions.
If you're look ...[text shortened]... e Berlin, Archangel, Closed, Open, Marshall. There is a lot to learn though, in each of them.