Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense

A classical chess opening that focuses on central control and harmonious piece development.

The opening is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, one of the oldest and most classical chess openings. It is named after the famous 19th-century American chess player Paul Morphy and the German chess player Wilhelm Steinitz, who both contributed significantly to its development. The opening is characterized by a solid pawn structure and harmonious piece development, with both sides aiming to control the center and prepare for future attacks.

In this variation, Black opts for a more conservative approach by playing d6, which supports the e5 pawn and prepares to develop the light-squared bishop to d7. White, in turn, plays c3, which supports a potential d4 pawn break and prepares to develop the dark-squared bishop to c2, if necessary. The opening is considered to be relatively safe for both sides, with a balanced position and chances for both players to create winning chances.

The Modern Steinitz Defense is a solid choice for players who prefer a more classical and less aggressive approach to the Ruy Lopez. It has been played by many top-level players throughout history, including former World Champions Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov. While it may not lead to the sharpest positions, it offers a solid foundation for a strategic middlegame battle, where both sides can demonstrate their understanding of chess principles and positional play.