Chess games can be started in any number of ways, but one of the most popular would be the Ruy Lopez opening. Also known as the Spanish opening, this type of game gives White an early chance to capture one of the Knights from Black, albeit putting a Bishop into potential jeopardy. The name of this move comes from the 16th Century priese Ruy Lopez de Segura, who made a comprehensive study of this move, among others, which he then published in a book on Chess, Libro del Ajedrez. While the move was known before Ruy Lopez made his study of it, the move didn't become popular until the mid 19th Century when it was rediscovered and high value was placed on its potential as an opening.



This Chess opening is still in common practice, being one of the most developed Chess openings currently known. The double King's Pawn opening is one of the most common openings in master level play and most players have adopted a form of this at some point during their playing careers. This Ruy Lopez move has been extensively developed and theorized, with many different logical opportunities available to both players based on the double King opening. With many different options available, any game that begins with a Ruy Lopez can give either player a strong strategy to base their game on.

Many other openings are possible to any players looking to have a strong game. One of the most important goals in the beginning of a game is for any one player to gain control of the center of the board. This is generally considered to be the strongest position available to anyone playing a chess game and without control of the center of the board, any player will have a very difficult time with winning. Therefore, any strong opening will build itself around trying to gain control of the center portions of the board. This is why the Ruy Lopez in particular is so strong; it immediately puts pieces in the very center squares of the board.

Depending on the type of opening that is used, the Chess game itself will develop into either an Open Game or a Closed Game. Open games are ones where the center of the board is controlled by one player but is left open, allowing for great mobility of the Bishops and Rooks to move through the space. This allows for quicker game play, giving the chance to strike more often. The game will have the feel of a series of little skirmishes producing a winner of the battle.

A Closed Game, however, is one in which the center of the Chessboard is blocked by pawns remaining there, stationary. This does not allow for easy mobility and will often produce a slower, more painstaking style of play. The Pawns will form a stronger line of defense that is much harder to break through than with an Open game. Players often have more difficult in these slower moving games and, because of this, Open Games are more typically recommended.