Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes ProCon History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture Money Videos
Ruy López de Segura
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Quizzes
Chess pieces on game board.
Check and Checkmate Quiz
Related Questions
Read Next
Marriage. A couple getting married during a church wedding ceremony. (religion, ceremony, bride, groom)
The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic church
Candles Burning On Table In Church
What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World?
The three children, Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia, who saw the vision of Fatima in Portugal. Our lady of Fatima, saint, Christianity.
Our Lady of Fátima
Advertising poster for the opening in Paris of "Montagnes Russes" (Russian Mountains), c. 1882-1888, by an anonymous artist; in the collection of the Musee Carnavalet, Paris, France. (graphic arts, posters, roller coasters)
Where Was the First Roller Coaster Invented?
Agnes with a lamb near her feet. St. Agnes (Saint Agnes) design drawing for stained glass window by J&R Lamb Studios, ink, mount size 10.5 x 14.5 in.
Roman Catholic Saints
Discover
Artist interpretation of a Space meteoroid impact. Meteor impact. Asteroid, End of the world, danger, destruction, dinosaur extinct, Judgement Day, Planet Earth, Doomsday Predictions, comet
10 Failed Doomsday Predictions
Ethel Rosenberg arrested in August 1950. Photograph dated Aug. 8, 1950. American civilians executed for espionage. Spies, communists, Julius Rosenberg
Spies Like Us: 10 Famous Names in the Espionage Game
Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”
Thumbnail for flags that look alike quiz Russia, Slovenia, Iceland, Norway
Flags That Look Alike
New York NY/ USA- November 23, 2018 Hordes of shoppers throng the Macy's Herald Square flagship store in New York looking for bargains on the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday.
Why Is It Called Black Friday?
John F. Kennedy as a boy with his family
What Did We Call America’s Elite Before the “1 Percent”?
Orange basketball on black background and with low key lighting. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

Ruy López de Segura

Spanish chess player
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
Quick Facts
Flourished:
1560
Flourished:
1560 -

Ruy López de Segura (flourished 1560) was a Spanish priest, the first modern Chess writer and analyst, and developer (though not inventor) of the Ruy López opening, which is still one of the most popular in Chess. It begins with these moves: (1) P-K4, P-K4; (2) Nt-KB3, Nt-QB3; (3) B-N5. López came from Zafra in Estremadura and became a favourite of King Philip II, who presented him with a gold Rook on a chain to be worn around his neck. He travelled to Italy in 1560 and 1573, defeating all players, but lost to Leonardo da Cutre of Italy in Spain in 1575.

López published the first manual of Chess instruction, his Libro de la invención liberal y arte del juego del Axedrez (“Book of the Liberal Invention and Art of Playing Chess”; 1561).

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.