C90 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Pilnik Variation

17/17
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Ba4Nf65.O-OBe76.Re1b57.Bb3O-O8.d3d69.c3
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Closed, Pilnik Variation117k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
38%44k47%
28%32k41%
9.4%11k45%
7.3%8.5k44%
6.9%8.1k44%
4.2%4.9k47%
3.3%3.8k45%
1%1.1k41%
0.5%58350%
0.5%54947%
Famous games in this line1.7k master games
Carlsen, M. (2876) – Aronian, L. (2780)20151–0Carlsen, M. (2837) – Ding Liren (2774)2017½–½Carlsen, M. (2837) – Ding Liren (2774)20171–0Gukesh, D. (2752) – Carlsen, M. (2839)20250–1Carlsen, Magnus (2863) – Svidler, Peter (2723)2020½–½Anand, V. (2783) – Aronian, L. (2799)20170–1Carlsen, M. (2850) – Svidler, P. (2727)2015½–½Adams, Mi (2745) – Caruana, F. (2829)20141–0
Heroes of this opening Carlsen, M. · Aronian, L. · Adams, Mi
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C90
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3 d6 9. c3
Classical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
Ruy Lopez: Open, Howell AttackC81 5…Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 …Ruy Lopez: Closed, Yates VariationC91 7…d6 8.c3 O-O 9.d4Ruy Lopez: Closed, Suetin VariationC90 7…d6 8.c3 O-O 9.a3
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
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