C61 · Open · a plan for White
Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation
6/6
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5Nd4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation2.7M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
84%2.3M54%
8.4%228k52%
3.4%92k54%
1.7%46k53%
0.8%22k33%
0.5%12k52%
0.3%8.3k48%
0.3%7.0k35%
0.2%6.6k51%
0.2%5.1k18%
Famous games in this line1.1k master games
Saric, Iv (2671) – Carlsen, M. (2877)Kasparov, Garry (2838) – Khalifman, Alexander (2698)Kasparov, Garry (2838) – Khalifman, Alexander (2698)Bacrot, Etienne (2712) – Morozevich, Alexander (2743)Leko, Peter (2722) – Morozevich, Alexander (2732)Leko, Peter (2722) – Morozevich, Alexander (2716)Anand, Viswanathan (2758) – Kovalev, Vladislav (2660)Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2719) – Rapport, Richard (2693)Heroes of this opening Leko, Peter · Saric, Iv · Kasparov, Garry · Morozevich, Alexander
- Family
- Ruy Lopez
- Category
- Open
- First move
- 1.e4
- ECO
- C61
- Line
- 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4
Classical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →Keep exploring
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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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