Ruy Lopez Opening: Morphy Defense & Alekhine Variation
Ruy Lopez Opening
Definition
The Ruy Lopez (also called “the Spanish Game”) is the family of openings that begins
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. By pinning the c6-knight, White exerts indirect pressure on the e5-pawn and starts a long strategic battle for the centre and the initiative.
Typical Move-Order & Ideas
- 3…a6 – Morphy Defense → the modern main line.
- 3…Nf6 – Berlin Defense, famous for its solidity.
- 3…d6 – Steinitz Defense, more cramped.
White normally withdraws the bishop to a4, castles quickly, and then plans c3 + d4 to build a broad pawn centre. Black decides between counter-attacking the centre (…d5, …f5, or …Nxe4) and patiently completing development.
Strategic Significance
The Ruy Lopez has acquired a reputation for producing “complete” games that contain opening, middlegame, and endgame subtleties. Themes include:
- Minor-piece imbalance: bishop pair vs. damaged pawn structure (Exchange Variation).
- Central tension: e4/e5 pawns often remain locked for dozens of moves.
- Queenside space vs. kingside attacking chances (Closed Ruy).
Historical Notes
Named after the 16th century Spanish priest – and chess author – Ruy López de Segura, the opening first appeared in print in 1561. It has been the favorite choice of champions from Steinitz and Capablanca to Fischer, Kasparov, Anand, and Carlsen. In modern World Championship matches it is second only to the Queen’s Gambit in sheer volume of appearances.
Illustrative Game
Fischer – Spassky, World Championship (6), 1972
Fischer’s legendary sixth-game victory showcased the spatial squeeze and latent attacking power of the Ruy Lopez.
Interesting Facts
- The phrase “Spanish Torture” was coined by Romanian GM Mihai Suba to describe Black’s suffering in passive Ruy Lopez positions.
- Modern engines consistently keep the opening in the top tier of 1. e4 choices despite decades of computer scrutiny.
Morphy Defense (3…a6)
Definition
The Morphy Defense is the move 3…a6 in the Ruy Lopez: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6. Black immediately questions the b5-bishop, gaining space on the queenside and preparing …b5 to chase the bishop again or support …c5.
Strategic Purpose
- Drives the bishop to a4, where it is less flexible.
- Prepares …b5 and possibly …Bb7, eyeing the e4-pawn.
- Keeps the option of …Nf6 and …Be7, heading into the Closed Ruy, or the immediate pawn break …d5 (Open Variation).
Historical Significance
Although Paul Morphy was not the first to play 3…a6, his 1858 masterpieces popularised it and demonstrated its dynamic strength compared with the older 3…d6. By the early 20th century it had become the main line and remains so today.
Main Branches after 3…a6
- 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 – Closed Ruy (C84-C99).
- 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 – Open Variation (C80-C83).
- 4. Bxc6 – Exchange Variation (C68-C69).
Model Game
Morphy vs Duke Karl & Count Isouard, Paris 1858 (the famous “Opera Game”) began 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4, but in later exhibitions Morphy switched to 3…a6, dazzling spectators with rapid development and central counter-play.
Anecdotes
Morphy reportedly explained that 3…a6 was “useful in every line,” an opinion echoed by modern databases where the move scores above 50 % for Black.
Exchange Variation of the Ruy Lopez (4.Bxc6)
Definition
The Exchange Variation arises after
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 (or bxc6).
White voluntarily surrenders the light-squared bishop to inflict structural damage on Black’s queenside.
Typical Plans
- White: Rapid piece development, early d2-d4, and striving for a 4 vs 3 pawn majority on the kingside in simplified endings.
- Black: Bishop-pair activity, central control with …f6/ …Bg4, and use of the half-open d-file.
Strategic Significance
The variation is a textbook example of the trade-off between the bishop pair and pawn structure. Endgames frequently arise where White’s healthier majority decides the game, but Black can seize the initiative in the middlegame if allowed dynamic play.
Historical & Practical Use
Bobby Fischer revitalised the line in the 1960s, famously beating Spassky with it in game 6 of their 1972 match. It is a favourite of players who prefer clear plans over heavy theory—e.g., Vladimir Kramnik employed it as early as age 12.
Example Mini-Plan
After 5. O-O f6 6. d4 exd4 7. Qxd4 Qxd4 8. Nxd4, White has traded queens into an ending where the split c-pawns can be targeted and the kingside majority marched down the board.
Interesting Facts
- Reuben Fine called it “the only way to play for a win as White without taking any risks.”
- The line often leads to opposite-coloured bishops—but with rooks still on, giving the attacker extra bite.
Alekhine Variation of the Ruy Lopez (3…Nge7)
Definition
The Alekhine Variation starts with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7. Black develops the king-knight to an unusual square, avoiding the pin on c6 and preparing …g6 or …d5 under favourable circumstances.
Strategic Aims
- Unpin the c6-knight so that …d7-d5 can sometimes be played in one stroke.
- Retain flexibility: the g8-knight can reroute to g6, f5, or even c6 (after …a6 …Nb8 redirects).
- Invite White to over-extend, because immediate central breaks are harder without the knight on f3 being confronted by its counterpart on f6.
Historical Background
First essayed by World Champion Alexander Alekhine in 1921 against Savielly Tartakower, the move never became mainstream but remains a respected sideline that can surprise well-prepared opponents. Its ECO code is C65.
Representative Continuations
- 4. O-O g6 5. c3 Bg7 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 d5 – Black strikes in the centre.
- 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O – a gambit style where White sacrifices a pawn for rapid development.
Model Game
Alekhine – Tartakower, Vienna 1921, continued 4. O-O g6 5. c3 Bg7 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 d5. Alekhine eventually won a complex middlegame, demonstrating the line’s strategic richness.
Interesting Nuggets
- The “knight pirouette” Nge7–g6–f4 became a favourite of Alekhine in simultaneous exhibitions, where it often unsettled less experienced players.
- Modern engine evaluations hover around equality, but practical chances are high because theory is relatively light compared with the heavily analysed Morphy Defense.