The Morphy Defense, Duras Variation is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C77. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c4, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six moves.
On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.
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The Morphy Defense, Duras Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c4. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C77.
The Morphy Defense, Duras Variation is ECO C77. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. c4 at +0.12 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.