Ruy Lopez Same Old, Same Old?

Is it just my imagination or does everyone play the same lines in the Ruy Lopez these days? I searched Chesslab.com on the opening moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 for games played in 2006 where at least one player was rated over 2700. I found 198 games, which evolved as shown in the following table.

At every move there is an overwhelming favorite. I listed its frequency compared to the frequency of the alternatives. Many popular moves of yesteryear (e.g. 4...d6, 6.Qe2) have been abandoned by modern players.

The top players have their reasons for playing the variations that they prefer. It would be foolish to suggest that they look at other moves. Lesser players, however, shouldn't ignore the wealth of alternatives available at every step of the Lopez. Those players who complain about the lack of opening diversity are only displaying their lack of imagination.

198	3.Bb5
	---
170	3...a6
26	3...Nf6
2	3...f5
	---
157	4.Ba4
13	4.Bxc6
	---
149	4...Nf6
8	4...d6
	---
136	5.O-O
10	5.d3
	---
115	5...Be7
11	5...b5
8	5...Nxe4
2	5...Bc5
	---
109	6.Re1
5	6.d3
1	6.Bxc6
	---
105	6...b5
4	6...d6
	---
67	7...O-O
39	7...d6
	Now we see a little diversity. The move 7...O-O 'threatens' the Marshall Variation (8.c3 d5), which has been deeply studied and gives Black excellent drawing chances. The GMs seem almost desperate to avoid it.
67	7...O-O
	---
37	8.h3
15	8.a4
9	8.c3
4	8.d4
2	8.a3
	The alternative 7...d6 leads to the Closed Lopez which features in the repertoire of many top players.
39	7...d6
39	8.c3
41	8...O-O
	---
37	9.h3
7	9.d4
1	9.d3