C91

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Yates Variation

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

Kamsky,G vs Le,Quang Liem0-1
55th Biel GM Rapid 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
5th Sinquefield Cup 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Giri,A vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
7th London Classic 2015 • 2015★ Notable
Kamsky,G vs Karjakin,Sergey1-0
GRENKE Rapid WCh • 2010★ Notable
So,W vs Howell,D1-0
WCh-Junior • 2008★ Notable
Kamsky,G vs Navara,D1-0
37th Olympiad • 2006★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Bacrot,E1/2-1/2
WCC Places 3-4 • 2005★ Notable
Kamsky,G vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Navara,D vs Nikolic,Pr1-0
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Navara,D vs Nikolic,Pr1/2-1/2
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Navara,D vs Nikolic,Pr1-0
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Adams,Mi1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Kobalia,M vs Beliavsky,A1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Kobalia,M vs Beliavsky,A0-1
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Adams, Michael vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Linares 14th • 1997★ Notable
Kamsky, Gata vs Anand, Viswanathan1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 5th • 1996★ Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Anand, Viswanathan0-1
Amber-rapid 2nd • 1993★ Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Linares • 1988★ Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Portisch, Lajos1-0
Biel Interzonal • 1976★ Notable
Bronstein, David I vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
Petropolis Interzonal • 1973★ Notable

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