Ruy Lopez: Closed, Anti-Marshall

Ruy Lopez: Closed

Definition

The Closed Ruy Lopez (sometimes called the “Closed Spanish”) is the family of positions arising 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

or closely related move orders in which Black postpones …d5, leading to a rich, maneuvering struggle rather than immediate tactical fireworks. The word “closed” refers to the pawn structure: both sides lock the center (e4/e5/d6/d3) and fight for long-term positional advantages.

Typical Usage in Chess

• Played at every level, from scholastic tournaments to World Championship matches.
• A favorite of players who enjoy slow, strategic maneuvering and accumulating small advantages.
• Acts as a test of understanding of plans rather than memorized tactics.

Strategic Themes

• Central Tension: White keeps the e4-pawn supported by d3 or c3, while Black bolsters e5 with …d6 …c6. Neither side rushes to open the center.
• Minor-Piece Maneuvers: Classical routes such as Nbd2-f1-g3, Bc2, Re1, and a later d4 are mirrored by Black ideas like …Nb8-d7-f8-g6.
• Queenside Expansion: Black’s …c5 or …a5 counters White’s space on the kingside.
• Pawn Breaks: White’s d4 and f4, or Black’s …d5 and …f5 are deferred until the right moment.

Historical Significance

The Closed Ruy Lopez has decided more World Championship games than any other opening:

• Steinitz–Zukertort, 1886: Early examples of modern defensive ideas.
• Capablanca–Alekhine, 1927: Showcased pristine endgame technique stemming from closed Spanish structures.
• Karpov–Korchnoi, 1978 and Anand–Carlsen, 2014: Reinforced its relevance in the computer era.

Classic Example

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• José Raúl Capablanca once claimed he could defend the Black side of the Closed Spanish “with his eyes closed,” yet still chose it with White to press for advantage.
• In the pre-engine era, theory grew so deep that elite players spent hours learning which tempo to waste to reach their preferred tabiya.
• Grandmaster “whisper networks” shared novelties such as 9…Bb7 (instead of the older 9…Na5), leading to entire repertoires shifting overnight.

Ruy Lopez: Anti-Marshall

Definition

The Anti-Marshall refers to any Ruy Lopez line in which White deliberately steers play away from the sharp Marshall Attack (…d5 pawn sacrifice) that can follow

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5

To avoid this, White chooses a ninth-move alternative before …d5 is possible—hence “Anti-Marshall.” Common Anti-Marshall moves are:

• 8. a4 – immediate queenside challenge.
• 8. h3 – prevents Black’s …Bg4 ideas and prepares d4.
• 8. d4 – known as the Deferred Exchange/Anti-Marshall Gambit.
• 7. a4 – even one move earlier, removing the …b5 lever.

How It Is Used

• Chosen by players who dislike memorizing forced Marshall Attack complications.
• Maintains a small but durable positional edge rather than entering a forced drawish endgame.
• Often seen in match strategy: a surprise Anti-Marshall line can sidestep an opponent’s Marshall “database.”

Strategic & Theoretical Importance

Because the Marshall Attack gives Black strong practical chances for equality, top grandmasters have developed extensive Anti-Marshall arsenals to keep pressure:

1. Space Grab: With 8.a4 or 8.h3 White restrains …b4 and preserves the Bb3 post.
2. Flexible Center: The pawn on d2 can go to d3 or d4 depending on Black’s setup.
3. King-side Chances: In lines with h3-g4, White begins a slow attack while Black lacks the Marshall’s typical counterplay.

Famous Games

• Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship (Seville) 1987, Game 16
  Kasparov used 8.a4 to avoid Karpov’s pet Marshall and later won with a brilliant exchange sacrifice.
• Carlsen – Nakamura, London Chess Classic 2012
  Carlsen’s 8.h3 ▸ d3 setup exemplified subtle pressure; he ground out a 122-move endgame win.
• Anand – Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 2006
  Anand’s novelty in the 8…Bb7 Anti-Marshall led to a crushing kingside attack.

Model Line

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The term “Anti-Marshall” became so entrenched that some databases list it as a separate ECO code (C88/C89).
• Grandmaster Peter Leko, an early Anti-Marshall pioneer, once quipped, “I prefer torture over immediate liquidation,” referencing his disdain for forced Marshall draws.
• Modern engines give the pure Marshall ≈0.00, but many still rate Anti-Marshall structures as “+0.20”–“+0.30,” enough for ambitious White players.