Ruy Lopez Opening: Morphy Defense & Deferred Steinitz
Ruy Lopez Opening
Definition
The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Opening, arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. It is named for the 16-century Spanish priest Ruy López de Segura, who analysed the line in his 1561 treatise. White attacks the e5-pawn, develops a piece, and prepares to castle, while simultaneously putting long-term pressure on Black’s queenside.
Typical Move Order
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5, after which play can branch into:
- 3…a6 – Morphy Defense (by far the most popular)
- 3…Nf6 – Berlin Defense
- 3…d6 – Steinitz Defense
- 3…Bc5 – Classical (Cordel) Defense
Strategic Themes
- Long-term pressure on the centre, especially the e5-pawn
- Potential bishop pair advantage for White if …axb5 and Bxb5 occur
- Queenside minority attacks for White versus kingside pawn storms for Black in closed structures
- The central pawn break d2-d4 (or sometimes c2-c3 d2-d4) is a recurring motif
Historical Significance
The Ruy Lopez has been used in more world-championship games than any other opening. Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca, Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, and Carlsen have all relied on it as White—and sometimes as Black with their chosen defenses. Its popularity stems from its flexibility: plans can shift from open tactical melees (Open Ruy Lopez) to very closed, manoeuvring battles (Chigorin, Breyer, Zaitsev).
Notable Games & Examples
- Fischer – Spassky, World Ch. Game 6, Reykjavík 1972 (Closed Ruy Lopez, 29.Qd2!!)
- Anand – Kramnik, World Ch. Game 5, Bonn 2008 (Open Ruy Lopez)
- Kasparov – Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999 (“Kasparov’s Immortal”) used the Modern Archangelsk line.
Interesting Facts
- In his 1561 book, Ruy López recommended 3.Bb5 but thought Black’s best response was …d6, not …a6.
- The ECO codes C60–C99 are devoted exclusively to the many branches of the Ruy Lopez.
- Engines still evaluate many main-line positions as “roughly equal,” yet elite players persist because of the rich middlegame complexity.
Morphy Defense (in the Ruy Lopez)
Definition
The Morphy Defense is the reply 3…a6 to the Ruy Lopez, named after the American prodigy Paul Morphy. The immediate question to White’s bishop forces it to decide: capture on c6, retreat to a4, or occasionally to e2 or f1.
Typical Move Order
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6
Common continuations:
- 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 – leads to the Closed Ruy Lopez
- 4.Bxc6 dxc6 5.O-O – Exchange Variation
- 4.Ba4 d6 – Deferred Steinitz Defense (see below)
- 4.Ba4 f5 – Janosch Gambit (rare)
Strategic Ideas
- Flexibility for Black: By first playing …a6, Black keeps the option of …Nf6 without fearing Bb5-b5 pinning the knight to the e-pawn.
- Initiating queenside expansion: …b5 can gain space and harass the a4-bishop.
- Bishop-pair decisions: White chooses between giving up the bishop pair (Exchange Variation) or maintaining tension (retreat).
Historical Context
Though Morphy popularised 3…a6 in his 1850s exhibition games, he rarely had to demonstrate detailed theory because opponents often erred early. The line has since become the main battleground of top-level Ruy Lopez play.
Notable Games
- Kasparov – Karpov, World Ch. Game 16, Seville 1987 (Morphy Defense, Zaitsev Variation)
- Carlsen – Karjakin, World Ch. Game 10, New York 2016 (Morphy Defense, Arkhangelsk)
- Morphy – Anderssen, Paris 1858 “Opera Game” began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 but transposed into an early …a6 plan, foreshadowing the defense that bears his name.
Interesting Facts
- The move …a6 looks “slow,” yet databases show it scoring better for Black than virtually any alternative on move 3.
- ECO codes C70–C99 all start with 3…a6.
- Paul Morphy himself liked to delay …a6 until after …Nf6, but modern theory considers the immediate 3…a6 more accurate.
Deferred Steinitz Defense (a.k.a. Steinitz Defense Deferred or Modern Steinitz)
Definition
The Deferred Steinitz Defense is a hybrid of the Morphy and Steinitz defenses: Black first plays 3…a6, drives the bishop to a4, then reinforces the e5-pawn with 4…d6. The standard position arises after:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6
Strategic Characteristics
- Solid but passive: …d6 eliminates the e5 weakness but temporarily blocks the light-squared bishop.
- Flexible knight development: Black can choose between …Nf6, …g6, or even …f5 setups.
- White’s space advantage: Because Black’s c8-bishop is hemmed in and the d7-square occupied, White often enjoys freer piece play.
- Breaks and counterplay: Black aims for …f5 (Dutch-style thrust) or …d5 (central break) to release the position.
Comparison with the Original Steinitz (3…d6)
- By playing …a6 first, Black prevents Bb5-b5 ideas that could annoy the c6-knight after …d6.
- The bishop on a4 may be slightly misplaced compared to the normal c4 square, giving Black extra time.
- However, Black loses a tempo (…a6 -> …d6) compared with 3…d6 directly, so White can accelerate c3-d4 plans.
ECO Classification
The Deferred Steinitz is catalogued under ECO codes C71–C72:
- C71 – Lines without early O-O (e.g., 5.c3)
- C72 – Lines with 5.O-O Nf6 6.Re1
Typical Continuations
- 5.O-O Nf6 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 Be7 (Classical Main Line)
- 5.c3 Nf6 6.d4 Bd7 (No castling yet; White grabs space quickly)
- 5.Bxc6+ bxc6 6.d4 exd4 7.Qxd4 (Exchange setup where Black’s doubled c-pawns offer the bishop pair)
Notable Games & Practice
- Karpov – Kamsky, Candidates Final Game 6, Elista 1996 (C71) – Karpov’s smooth space squeeze demonstrated White’s macro-strategy.
- Short – Timman, Tilburg 1991 – Black unleashed …f5 and …g5 for a kingside pawn storm.
Interesting Facts
- The line is sometimes dubbed the “Modern Steinitz” because early Steinitz games used the immediate 3…d6; the inclusion of …a6 was championed later by Chigorin and Tarrasch.
- Although once thought dubious, computer engines now rate the Deferred Steinitz as perfectly sound; elite GMs occasionally adopt it as a surprise weapon.
- The structure often transposes into Philidor-type positions if White exchanges on e5 or plays d4 exd4.