C70 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation

10/10
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5a64.Ba4b55.Bb3Na5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation132k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
26%35k54%
22%29k59%
21%27k54%
5.6%7.4k58%
4.7%6.2k52%
4.2%5.5k55%
3.1%4.1k58%
0.4%54752%
0.2%25949%
Famous games in this line623 master games
Anand, 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)20081–0Adams, Michael (2729)Morozevich, Alexander (2774)2008½–½Vachier Lagrave, M. (2736)Firouzja, Alireza (2766)2025½–½
Heroes of this opening Anand, Viswanathan · Erigaisi, Arjun · Vachier Lagrave, M.. · Dominguez Perez, Leinier
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C70
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Na5
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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