Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation The Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez is a chess opening that begins with the moves: Black may recapture on c6 with either pawn; although 4...bxc6 is playable, 4...dxc6 is almost always chosen at master level. Black has gained the at the cost of a weakened pawn structure, due to his doubled pawns on c6 and c7. White aims to reach an endgame in which he has the superior pawn structure, which may become an important factor. Thus, Black is compelled to strive for an active position, generally avoiding piece exchanges. The variation was introduced into
Ruy Pérez Ponce de León Ruy Pérez Ponce de León Ruy Pérez Ponce de León or Rodrigo Pérez Ponce de León (b. ? - d. 1295) was a Spanish noble of the House of Ponce de León, in the service of the Kingdom of Castile. He was the 15th Grand Master of the Order of Calatrava from 1284 to 1295 under King Sancho IV of Castile and further served as Mayordomo Mayor del Rey from 1293 - 1295, also under Sancho IV. Ruy was the son of the Count of Cabrera, Pedro Ponce de Cabrera and his wife, , one of the illegitimate daughters of