The Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C71. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c4, reaching the position shown below after 9 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 five moves.
On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 184 Ruy Lopez variations →
The Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c4. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C71.
The Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense is ECO C71. 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 d6 5. c4 at +0.40 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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.