Hi Scott,

There are not a lot of books available in the market about the Spanish main lines, and I don´t know why that happens and why there are not yet available one cd-rom of Chessbase about the main lines of the Spanish games with games anotated, because the Spanish is an opening with a lot of history! Maybe fashion, maybe the theory do not change a lot like other openings, but for me a cd-rom on the Spanish is crying to appear. I can advice Mastering the Spanish for learning the ideas behind the opening (and run to pick one, because it is getting rare to see one of the great books like this one available  ), for theory on the main lines, I advice The Ruy Lopez main line by Glenn Flear and then for more detailed theory the Anand series are very good. Easy guide to the Ruy Lopez by Emms, or the new, The Ruy Lopez Explained by Lane are interesting but the first tree are my advice. Andrew martin have a cd from Chessbase called the ABC of the Ruy Lopez, but there are no main lines there (Closed Lopez) like I discovered after buying it. With the first tree choices, you have 1-General Ideas and plans 2-Theory on the Main lines to start playing 3-More detailed theory.

There is also a slightly older book from Everyman by Emms, The Easy Guide to the Ruy Lopez, which is written from a White perspective, although it is not exactly a repertoire book.

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Hi Scott,

I would recommend the Opening for White according to Anand-series. The Ruy Lopez (with its most principled lines from White side - no exchange Ruy!) is covered in volume 1 (Ruy without a6 and various replies to 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 like the Petroff or Philidor) and especially vol. 2, in which all the main lines are featured. These two tomes are really worth every cent. 

Kind regards,

Cresspahl