C70 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Caro Variation

8/8
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Ba4b5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Caro Variation2.5M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
100%2.5M56%
0.1%1.6k21%
0%89938%
0%47732%
0%16733%
0%9823%
0%8624%
0%6729%
0%4924%
0%3622%
Famous games in this line1.1k master games
Kramnik, V. (2792)Mamedyarov, S. (2808)20180–1Vachier Lagrave, M. (2789)Mamedyarov, S. (2808)20181–0Anand, Viswanathan (2801)Morozevich, Alexander (2755)20071–0Anand, V. (2743)Nakamura, Hi (2810)2025½–½Erigaisi, Arjun (2797)Praggnanandhaa, R. (2746)20241–0Vachier Lagrave, M.. (2760)Firouzja, Alireza (2759)20211–0Anand, Viswanathan (2788)Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2719)20091–0Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2719)Morozevich, Alexander (2787)20081–0
Heroes of this opening Vachier Lagrave, M.. · Anand, Viswanathan · Mamedyarov, S. · Erigaisi, Arjun
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C70
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5
Classical
Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines
Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
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