The Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C74. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c3 f5 6. exf5 Bxf5 7. O-O, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after seven moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
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, Modern Steinitz Defense goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c3 f5 6. exf5 Bxf5 7. O-O. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C74.
The Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense is ECO C74. 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. c3 f5 6. exf5 Bxf5 7. O-O at +0.44 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.
Black holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.