C74

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

Spassky, Boris V vs Hallstrom, Leo1-0
Wch U20 prel-A • 1955★ Notable
Euwe, Max vs Keres, Paul0-1
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable
Polgar,Ju vs Timman,J1/2-1/2
Sigeman & Co • 2000
Leko, Peter vs Jussupow, Artur1-0
Vienna Millenium • 1996
Topalov, Veselin vs Lautier, Joel1/2-1/2
Linares • 1995
Anand, Viswanathan vs Jussupow, Artur1-0
Candidats FIDE m2 • 1994
Geller, Efim P vs Keres, Paul1/2-1/2
Szcawno Zdroj • 1950
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Chigaev,M1-0
World Rapid 2025 • 2025
Kamsky,G vs Harshavardhan,G B1-0
Titled Tue 10th Sep Late • 2024
Kamsky,G vs Perossa,Nicolas1-0
Titled Tue 10th Sep Early • 2024
Kamsky,G vs Theodorou,Nikolas1/2-1/2
Julius Baer Rapid Div 3 W • 2023
Carlsen,M vs Tanenbaum,Zachary1-0
Titled Tue 21st Mar Early • 2023
Shirov,A vs Tanenbaum,Zachary1/2-1/2
Titled Tue 14th Jun Early • 2022
Svidler,P vs Tanenbaum,Zachary1-0
Titled Tuesday 12th Jan • 2021
Svidler,P vs Gumularz,Szymon1-0
Titled Tuesday 5th May • 2020
Svidler,P vs Anton Guijarro,D0-1
Pepe Cuenca Invitational • 2020
Morozevich,A vs Sek,K1-0
World Blitz 2019 • 2019
Firouzja,Alireza vs Wei Yi1-0
chess.com Junior Speed • 2019
Caruana,F vs Harikrishna,P1/2-1/2
Champions Showdown Rapid • 2019
Kamsky,G vs Sychev,K1-0
World Rapid 2018 • 2018

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players