Ruy Lopez · C78

Morphy Defense, Arkhangelsk Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bb7

Black's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal. ...a6 puts the question to the bishop at once; after Ba4 the main roads of the Lopez open - Black keeps ...b5 in reserve and fights for the centre.

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.

Sign in to read every move's note and train this line — 8 more moves in this line, 12 in all.