Forever Chess GamesForever Chess Games Logo
CreateGiftsProductsGamesPlayersOpeningsTop 100FAQ

Explore

  • Players
  • Openings
  • Famous Games
  • Top 100 Games
  • World Championships

Create

  • Create Visualisation
  • How It Works
  • Gift Ideas

Eras

  • 1880s – Classical
  • 1960s – Fischer Era
  • 1990s – Kasparov Era
  • 2020s – Modern

Info

  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use

© 2026 Forever Chess Games. All Rights Reserved

  1. Home
  2. /Openings
  3. /Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap (C66)
C66

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap

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

Lasker, Emanuel35 gamesCapablanca, Jose Raul16 gamesEuwe, Max9 gamesSteinitz, William6 gamesBronstein, David I6 gamesPortisch, Lajos6 gamesAlekhine, Alexander6 gamesShort, Nigel D5 gamesSmyslov, Vassily5 gamesCaruana,F4 games

Related Openings

C60 - Ruy Lopez341C61 - Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation75C62 - Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense96C63 - Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense258C64 - Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation136C65 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense1951C67 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Berlin Wall2019C68 - Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation284C69 - Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit289

Best Games

Svidler,P vs Short,N1/2-1/2
34th Olympiad 2000Notable
Luther, Thomas vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1997Notable
Ponomariov, Ruslan vs Ermekov, Almas1-0
Wch U12 1994Notable
Jahr, Ulrich vs Geller, Efim P0-1
Wch Seniors 1991Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Portisch, Lajos1-0
Manila Interzonal 1990Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Capablanca, Jose Raul0-1
World Championship 12th 1921Notable
Capablanca, Jose Raul vs Lasker, Emanuel1/2-1/2
World Championship 12th 1921Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Capablanca, Jose Raul1/2-1/2
World Championship 12th 1921Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Capablanca, Jose Raul1/2-1/2
World Championship 12th 1921Notable
Schlechter, Carl vs Lasker, Emanuel1/2-1/2
World Championship 10th 1910Notable
Schlechter, Carl vs Lasker, Emanuel1/2-1/2
World Championship 10th 1910Notable
Schlechter, Carl vs Lasker, Emanuel1-0
World Championship 10th 1910Notable
Janowsky, Dawid Markelowicz vs Lasker, Emanuel1-0
World Championship 9th 1909Notable
Janowsky, Dawid Markelowicz vs Lasker, Emanuel1/2-1/2
World Championship 9th 1909Notable
Tarrasch, Siegbert vs Lasker, Emanuel0-1
World Championship 8th 1908Notable
Tarrasch, Siegbert vs Lasker, Emanuel0-1
World Championship 8th 1908Notable
So,W vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
chess.com Speed 2020 2020
Kamsky,G vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
IV World Blitz 2008
Tiviakov,S vs Navara,D1/2-1/2
Corus A 2007
Hou Yifan vs Jonkman,H1-0
Corus C 2007

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players