Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C71), reached after 8 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6.

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5.Ba4 1 line
- C76 Fianchetto Variation
5.c3 1 line
- C74 Siesta Variation

About this opening

Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C71. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 8 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6.

It belongs to the Ruy Lopez family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Morphy Defense → Modern Steinitz Defense line). The immediate parent line is Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, transitioned via 4…d6.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bb5 a6, 4.Ba4 d6. From this position 2 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.