Closed Spanish - Ruy Lopez Variation

Closed Spanish

Definition

The Closed Spanish is a major branch of the Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) that arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7. Instead of the immediate 5…Nxe4 (which leads to the Open Spanish), Black keeps the central tension, develops calmly, and castles. A “closed” pawn structure often results once …d6 and …e5 are cemented, giving the line its name.

Typical Move Order

A canonical sequence is:

After 9. h3 (or 9. d4) the main branches split:

• 9…Na5 10. Bc2 c5 – Chigorin Variation
• 9…Bb7 – Breyer System (…Nb8–d7–f8–g6)
• 9…h6 – Karpov System, delaying the queen-side knight’s redeployment
• 9…Re8 – Zaitsev System, popularised by Karpov and later Kasparov

Strategic Themes

• White’s plans
  • Prepare the central break d2–d4, often after c3 and Nbd2–f1–g3.
  • Switch the light-squared bishop to c2 (after Bc2) to pressure h7 and e4.
  • Place a rook on e1 to support e4–e5 or bolster the center after d4.
• Black’s plans
  • Reposition the queen-side knight to d7–f8–g6 or b7 via the Breyer or Chigorin systems.
  • Counter in the center with …c5 or …d5 once pieces are harmonised.
  • Target White’s e4 pawn with pieces (…Bb7, …Re8) and pawn breaks.
• Pawn Structure: After …d6 and c3, the center is locked and piece manoeuvres dominate. Space on the queen side often compensates Black’s cramped king side.

Historical Significance

• Wilhelm Steinitz first showed that Black could maintain the e5 pawn without capturing on e4.
• Mikhail Chigorin introduced the …Na5 and …c5 plan, adding dynamism.
• José Raúl Capablanca and later Svetozar Gligorić refined the line for Black in the mid-20th century.
• The Zaitsev (9…Re8) became famous in the 1978–1990 Karpov–Kasparov World Championship matches; both sides prepared it exhaustively with novelties spilling into modern practice.

Illustrative Game

Karpov – Kasparov, World Championship (game 20), Moscow 1990 A textbook Closed Spanish where Kasparov’s dynamic 19…d5! break neutralised White’s space advantage.

The game showcased the delayed central counterstrike theme and remains a staple in opening manuals.

Interesting Facts

• The adjective “closed” refers to piece manoeuvring, not a blocked center per se; indeed many lines erupt in tactical fireworks after …d5 or d4.
• Grandmasters sometimes switch to the Open Spanish (5…Nxe4) as a surprise, forcing White into sharply different territory.
• The Breyer Knight tour (Nb8–d7–f8–g6) inspired the famous “Knight pirouette” puzzle where the same route solves a mate-in-two problem.
• Deep Blue’s team considered the Closed Spanish “too strategic” for the computer in 1997, prompting them to face Kasparov’s 1. e4 with the Sicilian instead.