C75

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

Dominguez Perez,L vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Shirov,A vs Rapport,R1-0
42nd Olympiad 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Shirov,A vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
Amber Rapidplay • 2000★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Short, Nigel D1-0
Amber-blind 2nd • 1993★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Portisch, Lajos0-1
Linares • 1990★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Linares • 1989★ Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1-0
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable
Euwe, Max vs Keres, Paul0-1
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable
Euwe, Max vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1/2-1/2
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
7th Gashimov Mem Rapid • 2021
Grischuk,A vs Rapport,R1-0
chess.com Speed 3m+2spm 2017 • 2017
Caruana,F vs Andreikin,D1/2-1/2
8th Tal Memorial • 2013
Vachier Lagrave,M vs Vorotnikov,V11-0
45th Biel Masters Open • 2012
Ivanchuk,V vs Timman,J1-0
11th Sigeman & Co • 2003
Leko, Peter vs Huebner, Robert1/2-1/2
Dortmund • 1996
Topalov, Veselin vs Jussupow, Artur1-0
Novgorod • 1995
Anand, Viswanathan vs Jussupow, Artur1-0
Candidats FIDE m2 • 1994
Adams, Michael vs Yudasin, Leonid1/2-1/2
Biel Interzonal • 1993
Kamsky, Gata vs Winants, Luc1-0
Tilburg rapid • 1992
Tal, Mihail vs Keres, Paul1-0
URS-ch41 • 1973

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players