Ruy Lopez de Segura
(born 1530, died 1580) Spain, Ruy Lopez de Segura born circa 1530 was the leading Spanish player of his day. He was a priest from Zafra in Estremadura and chess made him famous in the court of Phillip the Second. In 1560 on ecclesiastical business he visited Rome and whilst there he defeated all the strongest Italian players including Giovanni Leonardo Di Bona da Cutri. He read Damiano's book and decided to write his own which was published soon after his return to Spain. In 1574-75 Leonardo da Cutri and Paolo Boi visited Madrid and both defeated him in match play in the presence of King Felipe II. He passed away circa 1580.