Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nc6/3. Bb5/3...a6/4. Ba4/4...Nf6/5. O-O/5...Be7/6. Bxc6

=Ruy Lopez Main Line=

6.Bxc6!? is an interesting move. It may look like a waste of time. The main line goes 6.- dxc6 7.Qe1! and black has a couple of problems here: 1.7.- Bd6?! leads to 8.d4! and if exd4?, 9.e5!. If black plays 8.- Qe7, white plays 9.dxe5! which leads to: 9.- Bxe5 10.Nxe5 Qxe5 11.Qc3 Ng4 12.Qxe5+ Nxe5 13.f4! Ng6 14.f5!(14.Be3 is also good) Ne5 15.Bf4 and white stands much better because of his better pawn structure. 2.7.- f6 is impossible because there is a knight on f6. The best move is probably 7.- Qd6.

Theory table
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6