Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense

A solid and classical chess opening that leads to a closed game with a focus on pawn structure and piece coordination.

The opening is a popular and well-established choice that has been played by many top-level players throughout history. It is characterized by a closed pawn structure, which allows for a slow and strategic battle between the two players. The opening is named after the famous chess player Wilhelm Steinitz, who was the first undisputed World Chess Champion.

In this opening, White aims to control the center of the board with their pawn on e4 and knight on f3, while Black tries to counter this by playing e5 and Nc6. The key move for White is to play Bb5, putting pressure on the knight on c6 and indirectly attacking the pawn on e5. Black's response is to play a6, forcing the bishop to retreat to a4, followed by d6 to support the pawn on e5.

White then plays c3, preparing to expand in the center with d4 and solidifying their pawn structure. This move also allows the bishop on c1 to be developed to a more active square. Black has several options at this point, including playing f5 to challenge White's pawn on e4 or developing their pieces with moves like Nf6 and Be7.

The opening can lead to various pawn structures and middlegame plans, depending on how both players choose to proceed. Proper understanding of the resulting positions and plans is crucial for both sides to navigate the complexities of this opening successfully.