C64

Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation

Key moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest and most classic chess openings. White develops the bishop to b5, putting indirect pressure on the e5 pawn through the knight on c6. It leads to rich strategic positions with deep plans for both sides.

History & Notable Players

Named after the 16th-century Spanish priest Ruy López de Segura. It has been a cornerstone of chess opening theory for over 500 years and remains one of the most popular openings at all levels.

Best Games

Aronian,L vs Le,Quang Liem1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Le,Quang Liem1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Naiditsch,A vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
14th WCh-Rapid 3rd-4th • 2009★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Karjakin,Sergey1-0
18th Amber Blindfold • 2009★ Notable
Shirov, Alexei vs Sokolov, Ivan1-0
FIDE-Wch k.o. g/25+10 • 1999★ Notable
Kobalija, Mihail vs Adams, Michael0-1
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1999★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Kamsky, Gata1-0
PCA-Wch Candidats sf1 • 1994★ Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Ivanchuk, Vassily0-1
Linares • 1989★ Notable
Deiseach, Donald vs Spassky, Boris V0-1
Wch U20 prel-A • 1955★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Steinitz, William1-0
World Championship 6th • 1896★ Notable
Lasker, Emanuel vs Steinitz, William1-0
World Championship 6th • 1896★ Notable
Vachier Lagrave,M vs Le,Quang Liem0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025
Vachier Lagrave,M vs Le,Quang Liem1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2025 • 2025
Short,N vs Le,Quang Liem0-1
FIDE World Bl Team Final • 2025
Nakamura,Hi vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
13th Norway Armageddon • 2025
Vachier Lagrave,M vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
11th Sinquefield Cup • 2024
Firouzja,Alireza vs Carlsen,M0-1
Bullet Chess Winners 2023 • 2023
Maghsoodloo,Parham vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2022
Caruana,F vs Bachmann,Ax1/2-1/2
44th Olympiad 2022 • 2022
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Esipenko,Andrey0-1
Lindores Abbey Tal Mem • 2021

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