Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 b5 5.Bb3 Na5

ECO C70

The Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 b5 5.Bb3 Na5.

It is catalogued under code C70 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Na5 is chosen by Black on move 5.

One named continuation branches from this position: the Nightingale Gambit.

The Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation is a line of the Ruy Lopez. The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Game, is a chess opening that begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. Read the complete Ruy Lopez guide: what it is, how to reach it, its main variations, how to play against it, and its history.

Named variations

• Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation, Nightingale Gambit — ECO C70

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Beat the Ruy Lopez course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.