C79

Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Steinitz Deferred

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

So,W vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Rapport,R1/2-1/2
81st Tata Steel GpA • 2019★ Notable
So,W vs Safarli,E1/2-1/2
WCh-Junior • 2008★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Wch U20 • 1987★ Notable
Bogoljubow, Efim vs Alekhine, Alexander1/2-1/2
World Championship 14th • 1929★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Janowsky, Dawid Markelowicz1-0
World Championship 11th • 1910★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
Julius Baer Gen Cup D1 W • 2024
Sjugirov,S vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
45th Olympiad 2024 • 2024
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
Superbet POL Blitz 2024 • 2024
Giri,A vs Ponomariov,R1/2-1/2
World Blitz 2023 • 2023
Karjakin,Sergey vs Radjabov,T0-1
Chess Stars 3.0 Blitz • 2023
Aronian,L vs Karthikeyan,M21/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Rapid • 2021
Iniyan,P vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
Norway Chess Open Masters • 2021
Aronian,L vs Carlsen,M1-0
Goldmoney Asian Rapid KO • 2021
So,W vs Safarli,E1-0
U16 Olympiad • 2008
Navara,D vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
TCh-RUS • 2008
Kamsky,G vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
World Blitz • 2007
Ponomariov,R vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
Essent Crown Group • 2007
Svidler,P vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
RUS vs. ROW • 2002
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Spassky, Boris V1/2-1/2
World Cup • 1988

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