Ruy Lopez Morphy Defense: Keres–Kholmov Variation
Ruy Lopez, Morphy Defense, Keres–Kholmov Variation
Definition
The Keres–Kholmov Variation is a sub-line of the Closed Ruy Lopez (also called the
Spanish Opening) that arises after the moves
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6
8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Nd7.
In ECO (Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings) terminology it belongs to codes C95–C96.
Typical Move Order
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bb5 a6
- Ba4 Nf6
- O-O Be7
- Re1 b5
- Bb3 d6
- c3 O-O
- h3 Na5 (Keres’ idea)
- Bc2 c5 (…c5 marks the bridge to the Kholmov set-up)
- d4 Nd7 (Kholmov’s refinement)
Strategic Ideas
- For Black
- The early …Na5 chases the bishop from b3 and prepares …c5, gaining space on the queenside.
- After …Nd7 Black contemplates rerouting the knight to b6 or f8–g6, reinforcing control of the d4-square.
- The pawn structure often resembles a Maróczy Bind in reverse; Black seeks breaks with …exd4 followed by …c4 or …f5.
- For White
- White enjoys the thematic central majority and aims for d4-d5 to open the long-diagonal for the b3/bc2-bishop.
- Typical plans involve a timely a4 undermining the queenside or a kingside expansion with Nbd2–f1–g3 and Nh2–g4.
Historical Background
• Paul Keres (EST) introduced 9…Na5 against GM Samuel Reshevsky at the 1953 Candidates in Zürich,
demonstrating that Black did not have to commit the “Breyer” manoeuvre (…Nb8) to unbalance the position.
• Ratmir Kholmov (URS) later refined the idea with 10…c5 and 11…Nd7 during the 1960s,
showing excellent results against elite contemporaries such as Tigran Petrosian and Leonid Stein.
• The line enjoyed a renaissance in the 1980s when it was employed by Garry Kasparov as a surprise weapon in
training games and by future world-champion Viswanathan Anand in several junior events.
Famous Games
- Keres vs. Petrosian, Zürich Candidates 1953 – the debut of 9…Na5, ending in a dynamic draw.
- Portisch vs. Kholmov, USSR Ch. 1970 – Black’s queenside initiative overwhelms White after a thematic …c4 break.
- Aronian vs. Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2006 – modern treatment where Anand equalised comfortably and later outplayed his opponent.
Illustrative Mini-Game
[[Pgn| e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Bb5 a6 Ba4 Nf6 O-O Be7 Re1 b5 Bb3 d6 c3 O-O h3 Na5 Bc2 c5 d4 Nd7 Nbd2 cxd4 cxd4 exd4 Nxd4 Bf6 N2f3 Re8 |arrows|a5c4 c6d4 d6d5|squares|c4 d4 e4]]After 17…Re8 Black has dissolved White’s center and is ready for …Bb7 and …Nc4, demonstrating the typical counter-play of the variation.
Practical Tips
- Do not rush with …exd4 unless Black can recapture with a piece; otherwise White’s central pawns gain too much space.
- Against plans with a4, Black should be ready for the resource …c4! fixing the bishop on c2 and grabbing squares on the queenside.
- White players should keep an eye on the e4-pawn; after exchanges in the centre the weakness of e4 often defines the middlegame.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
• Keres jokingly called 9…Na5 “my little half-a-square innovation,” because the knight only shifts from c6 to a5 yet dramatically changes the character of the game.
• Ratmir Kholmov was nicknamed “the Devil” in Soviet circles for his sharp tactical vision; fittingly, his contribution to the line makes the position far more double-edged.
• Although the variation bears their names, Keres and Kholmov never faced each other with this exact line in a tournament game!
Usage Today
The Keres–Kholmov Variation remains a fully playable antidote to the Closed Ruy Lopez.
While the elite often prefer the solid Breyer or the dynamic Marshall Gambit, many grandmasters—
notably Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Ian Nepomniachtchi and Yu Yangyi—occasionally wheel out 9…Na5/10…c5
to sidestep the heaviest theoretical files.
It is especially popular in rapid and blitz where its flexible pawn structure allows Black
to out-prepare opponents who mainly focus on the fashionable Breyer and Zaitsev systems.