Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Steinitz Deferred position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O d6. White: bishop on a4, pawn on e4, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on c2, pawn on d2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on a6, knight on c6, pawn on d6, knight on f6, pawn on e5.
Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Steinitz Deferred is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O d6. It is classified C79 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Game, develops the bishop to b5 where it pressures the knight defending Black's e5 pawn. It is the oldest continuously played opening at the top level and remains the main battleground of 1.e4 e5, valued because White gets a lasting positional grip rather than a quick attack.
This position can also be reached by another move order, including 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O d6 6.Bxc6+ bxc6 7.d4 Nxe4.
Strategic character
The bishop on b5 creates a long-term question about the c6 knight that shapes the whole game. Most main lines lead to slow manoeuvring positions with a closed centre, where both sides regroup pieces behind their pawn chains before committing to a plan.
Who should play it
Players who prefer strategic, long-game chess over immediate tactics, and who are comfortable playing positions where the plan matters more than the calculation.
This line is a variation within the Ruy Lopez family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O d6.
Variations continuing from this position
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O d6. Open any of them to load the position on the board.
What is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Steinitz Deferred?
The Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Steinitz Deferred is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O d6. It is classified C79 in the ECO system. The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Game, develops the bishop to b5 where it pressures the knight defending Black's e5 pawn. It is the oldest continuously played opening at the top level and remains the main battleground of 1.e4 e5, valued because White gets a lasting positional grip rather than a quick attack.
What are the moves of the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Steinitz Deferred?
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O d6. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Steinitz Deferred good for beginners?
Players who prefer strategic, long-game chess over immediate tactics, and who are comfortable playing positions where the plan matters more than the calculation.
What variations come from the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Steinitz Deferred?
Named continuations include Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense Deferred, Lipnitsky Variation, Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense Deferred, Boleslavsky Variation. There are 2 named variations reachable from this position in total.