The Steinitz Defense Deferred, Lipnitsky Variation is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C79. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 Bg4, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black’s a-file pawn is isolated; Black has the bishop pair.
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 Steinitz Defense Deferred, Lipnitsky Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 Bg4. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C79.
The Steinitz Defense Deferred, Lipnitsky Variation is ECO C79. 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. O-O d6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 Bg4 at +0.58 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 d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black’s a-file pawn is isolated; Black has the bishop pair.