C70 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Cozio Defense

8/8
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Ba4Nge7
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Cozio Defense58k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
56%32k51%
25%14k52%
6.1%3.5k52%
5.4%3.1k50%
4.6%2.6k53%
1.1%62146%
0.4%23147%
0.3%18849%
0.3%18749%
0.3%15343%
Famous games in this line1.8k master games
Caruana, F. (2816) – Giri, A. (2782)2018½–½Karjakin, Sergey (2776) – Aronian, Levon (2808)2011½–½Dominguez Perez, L. (2749) – Caruana, F. (2804)20240–1Anand, V. (2759) – Giri, A. (2782)20181–0Nepomniachtchi, I. (2751) – Aronian, L. (2789)20171–0Nepomniachtchi, I. (2751) – Aronian, L. (2789)20171–0Karjakin, Sergey (2782) – Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2753)2013½–½Vachier Lagrave, M. (2758) – Mamedyarov, S. (2765)2014½–½
Heroes of this opening Nepomniachtchi, I. · Caruana, F. · Anand, V.
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C70
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nge7
Classical
★ Read the guide: Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening)Explore all 234 Ruy Lopez lines →
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
Ruy Lopez: Bird's Defense DeferredC70 4…Nd4Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Caro VariationC70 4…b5Ruy Lopez: Cozio Defense, Paulsen VariationC60 3…Nge7 4.Nc3 g6
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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