What Ruy Lopez: Open, Howell Attack puts on the board
Material is level, with black to move.
White has central pawns on e5; Black has central pawns on d5.
White has castled kingside; Black can still castle either side.
The d-file is half-open for White, giving that side a natural pressure lane.
What White is trying to build
Maintain central tension and prepare d4 with pieces behind it.
Use the c3–d4 structure or queenside manoeuvres rather than rushing the bishop exchange.
How Black challenges it
Challenge White’s centre and find useful squares for the queenside pieces.
Decide whether the a6–b5 expansion gains space without loosening the queenside.
The tactical pattern to recognise
Pressure on e5 is often indirect because the e4 pawn can also be attacked.
A bishop capture on c6 can alter the pawn structure and the d5 square.
What to check before committing
Assuming Bxc6 wins the e5 pawn without checking the tactical reply.
Moving the same queenside pieces repeatedly while the king remains uncastled.
Choose the next book move
Preview a move to see the resulting position and the idea behind it. Select it to continue on the same board.
Reference links and alternate move orders
Move orders
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Qe21.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Qe2 Be7 10.c4
Related variations
- Ruy Lopez: Alapin Defense, Alapin Gambit
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Berlin Wall
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Beverwijk Variation
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Closed Bernstein Variation
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Closed Showalter Variation
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Closed Wolf Variation
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Cordel Variation
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Fishing Pole Variation
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Hedgehog Variation
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Improved Steinitz Defense
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation