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Ruy Lopez

Morphy Defense, Cozio Defense

C70offbeatpositional

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5a6
  4. 4.Ba4Nge7
1,071 games48%47%

Ruy Lopez line in which Black answers 4. Ba4 with 4...Nge7, the Cozio Defense Deferred, a rare setup that avoids doubled c-pawns and has elite backers.

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About the Cozio Defense

Also known as the Cozio Defense Deferred, 4...Nge7 places the king's knight where it can recapture on c6 after Bxc6, sparing Black doubled pawns. It often arises by transposition from 3...Nge7. Levon Aronian has advocated it, and Caruana, Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa have experimented with it. The critical test is 5. c3 Ng6 6. d4, after which the main line leaves White the bishop pair and Black the sounder structure. Engines give White a slight edge.

Popular continuations