user13176: I currently use the Ruy Lopez Exchange (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6). Is there a simpler and/or better opening to use instead?

user11629: "Simpler" is somewhat subjective. You could argue that learning a system like the King's Indian Attack is simpler because you can play it irrespective of what black plays, while playing the Ruy Lopez Exchange requires your opponent to cooperate to some extent as at any move there are perfectly fine alternatives.
The Ruy Lopez Exchange variation is not the most popular line at the highest level, but there is nothing wrong with it. If you are happy with it and like the positions you get out of it, there is no reason to change.
If you are not happy with it, you could analyze yourself, what kind of positions you like. Perhaps compare positions you get out of different openings (e.g. around move 15) and see which you like best. 

user13055: An opening choice will be always subjective. Nevertheless, I will give you two pieces of advice:

If you asked for simpler opening, Giuoco Piano (aka Italian opening with d3) comes to my mind. It has some similarities with Ruy Lopez and the moves are easy to learn, but strategically it is not as easy as it looks.
If you asked for better opening (objectively), I would vote for "classical" Ruy Lopez (I mean without exchange on c6). But I understand that it is not an easy opening.

If you don't feel like having hours for study of the openings, I would go for Giuoco Piano, but I would alternate it with your Ruy Lopez Exchange variation.

13176: <p>I currently use the Ruy Lopez Exchange (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Bxc6). Is there a simpler and/or better opening to use instead?</p>
 11629: <p>"Simpler" is somewhat subjective. You could argue that learning a system like the King's Indian Attack is simpler because you can play it irrespective of what black plays, while playing the Ruy Lopez Exchange requires your opponent to cooperate to some extent as at any move there are perfectly fine alternatives.</p>

<p>The Ruy Lopez Exchange variation is not the most popular line at the highest level, but there is nothing wrong with it. If you are happy with it and like the positions you get out of it, there is no reason to change.</p>

<p>If you are not happy with it, you could analyze yourself, what kind of positions you like. Perhaps compare positions you get out of different openings (e.g. around move 15) and see which you like best. </p>
 13055: <p>An opening choice will be always subjective. Nevertheless, I will give you two pieces of advice:</p>

<ol>
<li>If you asked for simpler opening, <em>Giuoco Piano</em> (aka Italian opening with d3) comes to my mind. It has some similarities with Ruy Lopez and the moves are easy to learn, <strong>but</strong> strategically it is <strong>not</strong> as easy as it looks.</li>
<li>If you asked for better opening (objectively), I would vote for <em>"classical" Ruy Lopez</em> (I mean without exchange on c6). But I understand that it is not an easy opening.</li>
</ol>

<p>If you don't feel like having hours for study of the openings, I would go for <strong>Giuoco Piano</strong>, but I would alternate it with your Ruy Lopez Exchange variation.</p>
