C98

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

Geller, Efim P vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal • 1970★ Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 21th • 1957★ Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 21th • 1957★ Notable
Tal, Mihail vs Filip, Miroslav1/2-1/2
WchT U26 • 1957★ Notable
Euwe, Max vs Smyslov, Vassily0-1
World Championship 18th • 1948★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Tarrasch, Siegbert1-0
World Championship 8th • 1908★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Tarrasch, Siegbert0-1
World Championship 8th • 1908★ Notable
Navara,D vs Rapport,R1-0
39th TCh-GRE • 2011
Svidler, Peter vs Piket, Jeroen1-0
Tilburg Fontys • 1998
Karpov, Anatoly vs Spassky, Boris V1/2-1/2
URS-ch41 • 1973
Tal, Mihail vs Smyslov, Vassily0-1
Herceg Novi blitz • 1970
Geller, Efim P vs Mecking, Henrique1-0
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal • 1970
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Smyslov, Vassily1-0
Belgrade URS-World • 1970
Tal, Mihail vs Filip, Miroslav1-0
Portoroz Interzonal • 1958
Bronstein, David I vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1-0
Candidats Tournament • 1953
Reshevsky, Samuel Herman vs Adams, Weaver Warren1-0
USA-ch prel • 1939
Vachier Lagrave,M vs Lombaers,P1-0
Gibraltar Masters 2014 • 2014
Duda,J vs Zeberski,J1/2-1/2
5th Open • 2010
Mahoney,Ian vs Shirov,A0-1
Scarborough CC Shirov simul • 2010
Rapport,R vs Lengyel,B1/2-1/2
FSIM December • 2007

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players