C65 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer Variation

8/8
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5Nf64.d3Ne7
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer Variation73k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
34%25k35%
27%20k51%
15%11k51%
9.2%6.7k46%
4.9%3.6k50%
1.8%1.3k46%
1.8%1.3k53%
1.5%1.1k49%
1.3%91650%
1.2%85941%
Famous games in this line153 master games
Carlsen, M. (2855) – Rapport, R. (2760)20211–0Praggnanandhaa, R. (2749) – Caruana, F. (2793)20240–1Esipenko, Andrey (2714) – Rapport, R. (2763)2022½–½Svane, Frederik (2667) – Nakamura, Hi (2804)20250–1Moussard, J. (2654) – So, W. (2769)2023½–½Le Quang Liem (2713) – Xiong, Jeffery (2691)2019½–½Grischuk, Alexander (2704) – Kharlov, Andrei (2613)20041–0Saric, Iv (2689) – Fedorchuk, S. (2626)2018½–½
Heroes of this opening Carlsen, M. · Caruana, F. · Nakamura, Hi · Grischuk, Alexander
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C65
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Ne7
SolidClassical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →
Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer TrapC65 5.Nxe5 c6
Nearby lines in the family
Ruy Lopez: Bird's Defense DeferredC70 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nd4Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Cozio DefenseC70 3…a6 4.Ba4 Nge7Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Caro VariationC70 3…a6 4.Ba4 b5
From the archives

Ruy López de Segura was a 16th-century Spanish priest whose 1561 book systematized 3.Bb5 — alongside advice like seating your opponent facing the sun. The 'Spanish torture' has been a world-championship battleground from Steinitz to Carlsen: slow pressure, forever.

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