C90

Ruy Lopez: Closed

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

Anand,V vs Aronian,L0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Aronian,L1-0
3rd Norway Chess 2015 • 2015★ Notable
Adams,Mi vs Caruana,F1-0
6th London Classic 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
18th Amber Rapid • 2009★ Notable
Hou Yifan vs Kosteniuk,A0-1
WCh-Women • 2008★ Notable
Leko,P vs Carlsen,M1-0
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2007★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Leko,P0-1
Amber Rapid • 2007★ Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Aronian,L0-1
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Areshchenko,A vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Smirin,I vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Akopian, Vladimir vs Khalifman, Alexander1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Svidler, Peter1/2-1/2
Linares16th • 1999★ Notable
Topalov, Veselin vs Svidler, Peter1-0
Tilburg Fontys • 1998★ Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Amber-rapid 5th • 1996★ Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Anand, Viswanathan0-1
Amber-blind 5th • 1996★ Notable
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam vs Slobodjan, Roman1/2-1/2
Wch U20 • 1995★ Notable
Adams, Michael vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Dortmund • 1994★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Romanishin, Oleg M1/2-1/2
PCA-Wch Candidats m2 • 1994★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Amber-blind 2nd • 1993★ Notable

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