C73

Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern 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.

Best Games

Kasparov, Gary vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
PCA-World Championship • 1993★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Portisch, Lajos1-0
Tilburg • 1988★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
Subotica Interzonal • 1987★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Spassky, Boris V0-1
Linares • 1983★ Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1-0
World Championship 20th • 1954★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
C'Chartres Rapid&Blitz m • 2020
Hansen,Eric vs Short,N1/2-1/2
42nd Olympiad 2016 • 2016
Karjakin,Sergey vs Grischuk,A0-1
2nd ACP World Rapid Cup • 2008
Ponomariov,R vs Short,N1/2-1/2
Corus A • 2005
Adams,Mi vs Rogers,I1/2-1/2
36th Olympiad • 2004
Polgar,Ju vs Timman,J0-1
Keres Mem Rapid • 2001
Shirov, Alexei vs Huebner, Robert1-0
Dortmund • 1996
Anand, Viswanathan vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Hoogovens • 1996
Anand, Viswanathan vs Jussupow, Artur1/2-1/2
Candidats FIDE m2 • 1994
Anand, Viswanathan vs Ye Rongguang1-0
Manila Interzonal • 1990
Timman, Jan H vs Spassky, Boris V1/2-1/2
World Cup • 1988
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Spassky, Boris V1-0
Thessaloniki ol (Men) • 1988
Timman, Jan H vs Spraggett, Kevin1/2-1/2
Taxco Interzonal • 1985
Short, Nigel D vs Hort, Vlastimil0-1
Dortmund • 1983
Spassky, Boris V vs Keres, Paul1/2-1/2
URS-ch41 • 1973

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players