C65 · Open · a plan for White
Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Zukertort Gambit
9/9
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5Nf64.O-OBc55.c3
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Zukertort Gambit818k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
42%341k44%
24%199k31%
13%104k40%
13%103k47%
2.3%19k45%
1.6%13k41%
1.4%11k41%
1.3%11k41%
1.2%9.7k37%
0.3%2.1k35%
Famous games in this line745 master games
Shirov, Alexei (2745) – Topalov, Veselin (2812)Leko, Peter (2739) – Anand, Viswanathan (2790)Topalov, Veselin (2796) – Karjakin, Sergey (2706)Anand, Viswanathan (2769) – Leko, Peter (2725)Naiditsch, Arkadij (2697) – Anand, Viswanathan (2788)Karjakin, Sergey (2732) – Aronian, Levon (2739)Morozevich, Alexander (2742) – Leko, Peter (2713)Topalov, Veselin (2767) – Vallejo Pons, Francisco (2684)Heroes of this opening Topalov, Veselin · Anand, Viswanathan · Morozevich, Alexander
- Family
- Ruy Lopez
- Category
- Open
- First move
- 1.e4
- ECO
- C65
- Line
- 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3
GambitClassical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Benelux VariationC64 5…O-O 6.d4 Bb6 · 1 deeper lineRuy Lopez: Classical Variation, Modern Main LineC64 5…O-O 6.d4 Bb6 7.Bg5
Nearby lines in the family
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.
Study this opening