I know I can look up stats, but that's not what I'm asking about.  What I'd like to read from everyone is how you prefer to defend the Ruy (presuming that you allow the Ruy to be played initially).  And I'd like to read why you prefer that defense.

Also, if you avoid the Ruy at any cost, I'd like to read about that and why.

Thanks in advance.

I like the Berlin deffence...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=J9K-PhNVeEk

thats a good instructive video on youtube.

Ah...  That's a hard one.  I would probably go for the Open or Berlin.  Those gave me the most sleepless nights when I used to play the Ruy.

I've been playing the Schliemann with very mixed results (but few draws!)

Schliemann, and Zaitsev...

But I haven't played 1...e5 in a LONG time.

The morphy variation is what I love to play as black :)

tonydal wrote:

I always played the Steinitz Deferred.

I haven't played it in a while, but I rather like that one too.