C62
Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense
Key moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest and most classic chess openings. White develops the bishop to b5, putting indirect pressure on the e5 pawn through the knight on c6. It leads to rich strategic positions with deep plans for both sides.
History & Notable Players
Named after the 16th-century Spanish priest Ruy López de Segura. It has been a cornerstone of chess opening theory for over 500 years and remains one of the most popular openings at all levels.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
C60 - Ruy Lopez341C61 - Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation75C63 - Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense258C64 - Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation136C65 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense1951C66 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap154C67 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Berlin Wall2019C68 - Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation284C69 - Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit289
Best Games
Shirov,A vs Kuderinov,K1-0
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Aronian, Levon vs Ovezov, C.1-0
Wch U12 • 1994★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Steinitz, William1/2-1/2
World Championship 6th • 1896★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Steinitz, William1-0
World Championship 5th • 1894★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Steinitz, William1/2-1/2
World Championship 5th • 1894★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Steinitz, William1-0
World Championship 5th • 1894★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Steinitz, William1-0
World Championship 5th • 1894★ Notable
Chigorin, Mikhail vs Steinitz, William0-1
World Championship 4th • 1892★ Notable
Gunsberg, Isidor vs Steinitz, William0-1
World Championship 3rd • 1890★ Notable
Chigorin, Mikhail vs Steinitz, William1-0
World Championship 2nd • 1889★ Notable
Duda,J vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
chess.com Speed 2019 • 2019
Leko,P vs Aronian,L0-1
SportAccord Blitz 2014 • 2014
Grischuk,A vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
World Blitz Final • 2012
Karjakin,Sergey vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
World Rapid Final • 2012
Timman, Jan H vs Miles, Anthony J1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1978
Nimzowitsch, Aaron vs Capablanca, Jose Raul0-1
St Petersburg prel • 1914
Nimzowitsch, Aaron vs Alekhine, Alexander1/2-1/2
Karlsbad • 1911
Lasker, Emanuel vs Steinitz, William1-0
St Petersburg9596 • 1895
Hracek,Z vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
Tournament of Peace 2024 • 2024
Salinas Herrera,P vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
Titled Tue 9th May Late • 2023