C93

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Smyslov 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

Karjakin,Sergey vs Svidler,P0-1
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Svidler,P vs Peng Xiaomin1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2000★ Notable
Kasparov, Gary vs Svidler, Peter1/2-1/2
Linares • 1998★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Kamsky, Gata1-0
Linares • 1991★ Notable
Mestel, A Jonathan vs Beliavsky, Alexander G0-1
WchT • 1985★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1979★ Notable
Fischer, Robert James vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1-0
Sousse Interzonal+ • 1967★ Notable
Anand,V vs Caruana,F0-1
7th Gashimov Mem Rapid • 2021
Duda,J vs Bruzon Batista,L1-0
42nd Olympiad 2016 • 2016
Short,N vs Azarov,S0-1
36th Olympiad • 2004
Shirov, Alexei vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1/2-1/2
EUCup Gr4 • 1996
Anand, Viswanathan vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Novi Sad ol (Men) • 1990
Hjartarson, Johann vs Karpov, Anatoly0-1
Linares • 1989
Timman, Jan H vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Candidats qf2 • 1989
Short, Nigel D vs Hjartarson, Johann1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1988
Timman, Jan H vs Hjartarson, Johann1-0
Tilburg • 1988
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Milos, Gilberto1-0
Szirak Interzonal • 1987
Huebner, Robert vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1986
Timman, Jan H vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Bugojno • 1986
Timman, Jan H vs Kasparov, Gary1-0
Hilversum KRO m • 1985

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