Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Schliemann Defense Deferred

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 f5

ECO C70

The Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Schliemann Defense Deferred is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 f5.

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

The defining move f5 is chosen by Black on move 4.

One named continuation branches from this position: the Jaenisch Gambit Deferred.

Named variations

• Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Schliemann Defense Deferred, Jaenisch Gambit Deferred — 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.