Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense

Before the first move

The Modern Steinitz Defense is a resilient way to meet the Ruy Lopez. By combining the classic d6 structure with the active a6, you force White to make a decision about their light-squared bishop. In this Richter Variation, White trades their valuable bishop for your knight to disrupt your pawns and immediately challenge the center.

1. e4White

White opens with e4, the most common first move in chess. It immediately fights for control of the d5 and f5 squares while clearing the way for the kingside pieces. Black has many ways to respond, including the solid e5, the sharp Sicilian Defense with c5, or the French Defense with e6.

1... e5Black · your move

Respond by pushing your pawn to e5. This mirrors White's move, claiming your own share of the center and preventing White from easily advancing further. It sets the stage for a direct confrontation between the two kingside forces.

Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)

2. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, the most logical and strongest continuation. By attacking the e5 pawn, White forces you to defend. Other moves like the Alapin (Ne2) or the English Opening: The Whale (c4) are much slower and allow you more freedom in the center.

Other paths here: Ke2 (Bongcloud Attack) · d4 (Center Game) · c4 (English Opening: The Whale) · Ne2 (King's Pawn Game: Alapin Opening)

2... Nc6Black · your move

Bring your knight to c6 to defend your e5 pawn. This is the most natural and strongest way to protect your center while developing a piece toward the middle. You are preparing to meet White's next move with flexibility.

Other paths here: d5 (Elephant Gambit) · Qe7 (Gunderam Defense) · Bc5 (King's Pawn Game: Busch-Gass Gambit) · f6 (King's Pawn Game: Damiano Defense)

3. Bb5White

White plays Bb5, the signature move of the Ruy Lopez. This is one of the oldest and most respected openings. White could also choose the King's Pawn Game: Dresden Opening (c4) or the Tayler Opening (Be2), but those allow you an easier time in the center.

Other paths here: Nxe5 (Irish Gambit) · g3 (King's Knight Opening: Konstantinopolsky) · c4 (King's Pawn Game: Dresden Opening) · b4 (King's Pawn Game: Pachman Wing Gambit)

3... a6Black · your move

Push your pawn to a6 to question the bishop. This is the Morphy Defense, the most popular way to handle the Ruy Lopez. You force White to decide whether to retreat the bishop or capture your knight immediately.

Other paths here: Bb4 (Ruy Lopez: Alapin Defense) · g5 (Ruy Lopez: Brentano Gambit) · a5 (Ruy Lopez: Bulgarian Variation) · Nge7 (Ruy Lopez: Cozio Defense)

4. Ba4White

White chooses to keep the bishop by playing Ba4. The Exchange Variation (Bxc6) is the major alternative, where White trades immediately to create a specific pawn structure. By retreating, White keeps the tension and the potential for a future pin.

Other paths here: Bxc6 (Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation) · Bc4 (Spanish: 3...a6 4.Bc4)

4... d6Black · your move

Move your pawn to d6 to solidify your center. This is the Modern Steinitz Defense. You reinforce e5 and prepare to develop your light-squared bishop. It is a very solid choice that avoids some of the sharper lines of the Closed Ruy Lopez.

Other paths here: Nd4 (Ruy Lopez: Bird's Defense Deferred) · Bb4 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Alapin's Defense Deferred) · b5 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Caro Variation) · Bc5 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Classical Defense Deferred)

5. Bxc6+White

White plays the Richter Variation, capturing on c6. This is a sharp alternative to the more common O-O or c3. White accepts giving up the bishop pair in exchange for giving you doubled pawns and a slightly more cramped position.

Other paths here: Nc3 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense) · d4 (Spanish: Modern Steinitz, 5.d4) · O-O (Spanish: Modern Steinitz, 5.O-O Bd7) · c3 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense, Siesta Variation)

5... bxc6Black · your move

Capture back with your pawn on c6. Although this doubles your pawns, it opens the b-file for your rook and gives you an extra pawn controlling the center. You now have the pair of bishops, which can be very powerful in the long run.

6. d4White

White immediately strikes with d4, trying to open the position while your king is still in the center. You will have to decide whether to trade on d4 or maintain the tension with f6. The coming moves will determine if your bishop pair can outweigh your structural weaknesses.

Where you stand

The position is strategically rich. White will try to use their superior pawn structure and rapid development to create pressure, while Black relies on the long-term power of the two bishops. Black often plays f6 to bolster the center, while White aims to castle quickly and use the open d-file and c-file to navigate their knights to strong squares.

• f8-e7 Develop the bishop and prepare to castle
• f7-f6 Support the e5 pawn and solidify the center
• b1-c3 Bring the knight to its most active square
• e1-g1 Secure the king and activate the rook
• c8-g4 Pin the knight to create counterplay