Forever Chess GamesForever Chess Games Logo
CreateGiftsProductsGamesPlayersOpeningsTop 100FAQ

Explore

  • Players
  • Openings
  • Famous Games
  • Top 100 Games
  • World Championships

Create

  • Create Visualisation
  • How It Works
  • Gift Ideas

Eras

  • 1880s – Classical
  • 1960s – Fischer Era
  • 1990s – Kasparov Era
  • 2020s – Modern

Info

  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use

© 2026 Forever Chess Games. All Rights Reserved

  1. Home
  2. /Openings
  3. /Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense, Fianchetto Variation (C76)
C76

Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense, Fianchetto 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.

Top Players in this Opening

Mamedyarov,S19 gamesSmyslov, Vassily18 gamesBronstein, David I17 gamesSpassky, Boris V13 gamesShort,N10 gamesFirouzja,Alireza8 gamesIvanchuk,V7 gamesCarlsen,M6 gamesKamsky, Gata5 gamesGeller, Efim P5 games

Related Openings

C70 - Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense459C71 - Ruy Lopez: Noah's Ark Trap84C72 - Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kecskemet Variation203C73 - Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense107C74 - Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense46C75 - Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense121C77 - Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Jaffe Gambit854C78 - Ruy Lopez: Brix Variation1124C79 - Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Steinitz Deferred208

Best Games

Navara,D vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
78th Tata Steel GpA 2016Notable
Geller, Efim P vs Smyslov, Vassily1/2-1/2
Wch Seniors 1991Notable
Qi Jingxuan vs Spassky, Boris V0-1
WchT 1985Notable
Larsen, Bent vs Bronstein, David I1/2-1/2
Portoroz Interzonal 1958Notable
Bogoljubow, Efim vs Alekhine, Alexander0-1
World Championship 14th 1929Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Carlsen,M0-1
Bullet Chess Winners 2023 2023
Ivanchuk,V vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
C'Chartres Rapid&Blitz m 2020
Tutisani,Noe vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
43rd Olympiad 2018 2018
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
World Rapid 2017 2017
Ivanchuk,V vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
2nd IMSA Blitz 2017 2017
Kasimdzhanov,R vs Mamedyarov,S0-1
Eurasian Blitz Chess Cup 2016
Topalov,V vs Carlsen,M0-1
4th Norway Blitz 2016 2016
Navara,D vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
IMSA Blitz 2016 2016
Ponomariov,R vs Mamedyarov,S0-1
IMSA Blitz 2016 2016
Adams,Mi vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
Vugar Gashimov Mem 2015 2015
Caruana,F vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
Makedonia Palace GP 2013
Carlsen,M vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
World Rapid Final 2012
Carlsen,M vs Svidler,P1-0
Aker CC Blitz 2009
Morozevich,A vs Mamedyarov,S1-0
IV World Blitz 2008
Adams,Mi vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
Corus A 2008

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players