C62 · Open · a plan for White

Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, Semi-Duras Variation

9/9
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5d64.d4Bd75.c4
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, Semi-Duras Variation7.9k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
36%2.8k39%
27%2.1k39%
18%1.4k35%
11%86143%
1.8%14536%
1.5%11637%
1.1%8643%
0.9%6740%
0.7%5637%
0.5%4118%
Famous games in this line4 master games
Vasiukov, Evgeni (2505)Bezman, Vadim (2365)1996½–½Toth, Christian Endre (2280)Guimard, Carlos Enrique (2385)1988½–½Marinkovic, Stjepko (2225)Pessi, Emil George (2355)19970–1Bozanic, Ivica (2249)Grgurevic, Boris (2219)20100–1
Heroes of this opening Pessi, Emil George · Grgurevic, Boris
Family
Ruy Lopez
Category
Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
C62
Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 Bd7 5. c4
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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