Ruy Lopez · C76

Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense, Fianchetto Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. c3 a6 5. Ba4 d6 6. d4 Bd7

The pawns on d4 and e5 stand in direct tension - the first player to resolve it chooses the structure. ...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.

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