C92 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Zaitsev System

18/18
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Ba4Nf65.O-OBe76.Re1b57.Bb3d68.c3O-O9.h3Re8
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Closed, Zaitsev System18k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
76%14k55%
11%2.0k55%
4.8%86358%
3.9%69556%
2.6%47354%
1.8%33155%
0%850%
0%786%
0%771%
0%570%
Famous games in this line1.4k master games
Vachier Lagrave, M. (2780)Ding Liren (2801)20191–0Giri, A. (2798)Ding Liren (2782)2015½–½Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2819)Svidler, P. (2751)2016½–½Caruana, F. (2807)Ding Liren (2755)2016½–½Vachier Lagrave, Maxime (2798)Svidler, P. (2759)2016½–½Anand, Viswanathan (2786)Morozevich, Alexander (2760)20131–0Ivanchuk, Vassily (2771)Caruana, Fabiano (2772)2012½–½Shirov, Alexei (2739)Anand, Viswanathan (2801)20070–1
Heroes of this opening Anand, Viswanathan · Vachier Lagrave, M.
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C92
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Re8
Classical
Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines
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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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