ECO C70 · for Black
Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
5,909,678 games in this band reached the Morphy Defense position. From there Black won 45% and drew 5%.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5 7. c3 O-O 8. d4
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e5
Black grabs an equal share of the center and scope to develop some pieces.
2. Nf3
The most natural move, developing the Knight with tempo
2... Nc6
Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing to castle kingside and supporting the e5 pawn.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6
3. Bb5
Threatening the knight on c6, which is a key defender of the e5 pawn. This move also prepares to castle kingside.
3... a6
Pushing the pawn to a6 is preparing to kick the bishop away from b5, which is a common idea in the Ruy Lopez opening. This move also prepares for b5 and Bb7, developing the bishop to a strong diagonal.
4. Ba4
White saves his Bishop while retaining the option of Bxc6.
- 4. Bxc6: Capturing the knight to double black's pawns. Providing a slight edge in the endgame.
4... Nf6
Black develops his Knight and eyes down the e4 Pawn
- 4... b5: Winning a tempo on the bishop while expanding on the queenside.
Moves 5 to 6
5. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Bc5
5. O-O
White gets his King to safety by Castling short
- 5. d3: Protecting the attacked e4 pawn and allowing the dark squared bishop to activate itself.
5... b5
Gaining space on the queenside and forcing the bishop to retreat while giving the bishop a square on b7 and relieving the threat on the c6 knight.
- 5... Be7: Developing the bishop and preparing to castle.
6. Bb3
Retreating the bishop. Likely continuing with the typical Ruy Lopez plan of Re1 and c3 to later expand in the center.
6... Bc5
Developing the dark-squared bishop and preparing to castle.
Moves 7 to 8
7. c3 O-O 8. d4
7. c3
Gaining space in the center and making preparing to play d4 to attack Black’s bishop next.
- 7. d3: Strengthening the center and opening up the dark-squared bishop to develop.
7... O-O
8. d4
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The pawn on e5 typically captures the pawn on d4
- The bishop on c5 often moves to b6
- The knight on f6 can move to e8 or e4
- The knight on c6 can move to a5 or e7
- A common pawn move is f5
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Italian Game for White
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black