C67
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Berlin Wall
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.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
C60 - Ruy Lopez341C61 - Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation75C62 - Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense96C63 - Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense258C64 - Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation136C65 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense1951C66 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap154C68 - Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation284C69 - Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit289
Best Games
So,W vs Gukesh,D1-0
12th Sinquefield Cup • 2025★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Le,Quang Liem1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
87th Tata Steel Masters • 2025★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs So,W1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2024★ Notable
Rapport,R vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
45th Olympiad 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
11th Sinquefield Cup • 2024★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs So,W1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
12th Norway Chess 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Vidit,S1-0
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
So,W vs Aronian,L1-0
10th Sinquefield Cup • 2023★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs So,W1/2-1/2
10th Sinquefield Cup • 2023★ Notable
Giri,A vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
10th Sinquefield Cup Cancelled • 2023★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
So,W vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
11th Norway Chess 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
85th Tata Steel Masters • 2023★ Notable
Rapport,R vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
85th Tata Steel Masters • 2023★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Aronian,L1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2022 • 2022★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2022 • 2022★ Notable