Ruy Lopez · C70
Bird's Defense Deferred
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nd4
Black's pawn on d7 is pinned against the king.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. e4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... e5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling d4, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5.
- 2... Nc6 Develops the knight to c6, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the e5 pawn.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 235 in the Ruy Lopez. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.