Ruy LopezC78
Morphy Defense
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O
Open on the interactive boardEvery move explained, never a dead end.
Both sides plans
White's plan
The b5-bishop pressures the defender of e5. The real plan is slow: castle, play c3 and d4, and keep the central tension as long as possible. The Spanish torture is won on move 30, not move 10.
Black's plan
...a6 and ...b5 push the bishop back with gain of time, then ...Be7 and ...O-O consolidate. Counterplay comes from ...Na5-c4 or a well-timed ...d5 break.
The line, move by move
- 1. e4e4 occupies the center.
- ... e5e5 occupies the center.
- 2. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
- ... Nc6Nc6 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
- 3. Bb5Bb5 develops the bishop.
- ... a6a6 attacks the bishop.
- 4. Ba4Ba4 repositions the bishop.
- ... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
- 5. O-OO-O castles short, tucking the king away and connecting the rooks.