C97

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin 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

Grischuk,A vs Rapport,R1-0
Geneva Grand Prix 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Adams,Mi vs Kasimdzhanov,R1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Lau, Ralf vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
WchT • 1985★ Notable
Keres, Paul vs Smyslov, Vassily0-1
Petropolis Interzonal • 1973★ Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Ivkov, Borislav1-0
WchT U26 • 1956★ Notable
Hou Yifan vs Grandelius,N1/2-1/2
Norway Chess Qualifier • 2016
So,W vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Qatar Masters Open 2015 • 2015
Karjakin,Sergey vs Hansen,TR1/2-1/2
41st Olympiad Open 2014 • 2014
Topalov,V vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
5th MTel Masters • 2009
Karjakin,Sergey vs Delchev,A1/2-1/2
37th Olympiad • 2006
Ponomariov,R vs Sasikiran,K1/2-1/2
36th Olympiad • 2004
Topalov,V vs Shirov,A1-0
XXI SuperGM • 2004
Leko,P vs Almasi,Z1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid • 2003
Kramnik,V vs Almasi,Z0-1
Amber Rapid • 2003
Adams,Mi vs Torre,E1-0
Olympiad • 2002
Kasparov,G vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
Eurotel Trophy • 2002
Leko,P vs Kasimdzhanov,R1/2-1/2
World Teams • 2001
Polgar, Judit vs Leko, Peter1/2-1/2
Leon • 1996
Short, Nigel D vs Bareev, Evgeny0-1
Dortmund • 1995
Topalov, Veselin vs Frolov, Artur1-0
Biel Interzonal • 1993

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