Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense

Ruy Lopez: Closed (“Closed Spanish”)

Definition

The Closed variation of the Ruy López (or “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
and now …Na5 or …Nb8 leads to the “Closed” tabiya. Black fortifies the centre with …d6 and keeps the light-squared bishop inside the pawn chain, in contrast to the Open Spanish (…Nxe4 on move 5 or 6).

How It Is Used in Play

The Closed Ruy López is one of the deepest strategic battlegrounds in chess. Both sides build tension rather than seeking immediate tactical resolution.

• White’s plan: Maintain the e4-pawn, expand with d4 at the right moment, and pressure the queenside (a4, c4) and the kingside (Ng5, Qf3).
• Black’s plan: Neutralise the bishop on b3, break with …d5 (often prepared by …Re8, …Bf8, …h6), or seek queenside counterplay with …c5.
• The pawn structure (pawns on e4/e5, d2/d6) creates maneuvering battles; piece re-grouping (e.g., the classic “Spanish Knight” route Nb1-d2-f1-g3-f5) is central.

Strategic Significance

• Because both kings have castled, attacks must be carefully prepared; mastering the Closed Spanish teaches prophylaxis, long-term planning, and piece improvement.
• Many world championship matches (Steinitz–Zukertort 1886, Capablanca–Alekhine 1927, Karpov–Korchnoi 1978, Kasparov–Karpov 1984-90, Carlsen–Anand 2013-14) featured this line.
• Computers evaluate many Closed Spanish positions near equality, yet practical chances abound because the positions are so rich and non-forcing.

Typical Move Order

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 (“the modern main line”)
   • 9…Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 opens the centre.
   • 9…Nb8 introduces the Breyer Defense (see next section).

Illustrative Example

In this “Chigorin” main line, both sides have completed their first wave of piece placement; the middlegame revolves around controlling d4/d5 and f5/f4 squares.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The move 9.h3 was popularised by Emanuel Lasker, preventing …Bg4 pin ideas.
• Some of the deepest endgame studies in opening theory—such as Fischer vs. Petrosian, Candidates 1971—come from the Closed Spanish.
• In the 1950s, Soviet theory considered the line “the Spanish torture” because Black often had to defend slightly worse positions for 60 moves.

Breyer Defense (to the Closed Ruy Lopez)

Definition

The Breyer Defense is a major sub-variation of the Closed Ruy López that begins with the knight retreat
9…Nb8 (instead of 9…Na5).
Named after the Hungarian master Gyula Breyer (1893-1921), the idea is paradoxical: Black “undevelops” a piece to re-route it to d7, bolstering the e5-pawn and preparing …c5 or …d5 breaks.

Historical Background

Breyer first analysed the concept in the 1910s with the aphorism, “After all, the king knight belongs on d7.” Although initially viewed with suspicion, the defence was rehabilitated by

• Boris Spassky in the 1960s (e.g., his 1966 world-title match vs. Petrosian),
• then refined by Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov, and
• remains a mainstay of modern grandmaster repertoires (Carlsen, Anand, Nepomniachtchi).

Core Move Order

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 Nb8 (Breyer)

Typical continuation: 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 Re8 13.Nf1 c5 14.d5 Bf8, when the position is dynamically balanced.

Strategic Themes

• Flexible centre: Black can choose between …c5 (Queenside space) and …d5 (central break), depending on White’s setup.
• Piece re-routing: Nb8-d7-f8-g6 (or e6) mirrors White’s “Spanish Knight.” Meanwhile Bc8 often comes to e6 or g4.
• Long-term tension: Neither side wants to clarify the centre too early; small inaccuracies can swing the evaluation.
• Endgame resilience: The Breyer structure tends to give Black a solid endgame with few weaknesses—an attraction for Karpov-style players.

Model Game

Kasparov vs. Karpov, World Championship (Game 16), Moscow 1985.
White pressed for 70 moves, but Karpov’s Breyer wall held firm: draw on move 63.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The move 9…Nb8 was once ridiculed as “the retreat of the frightened knight,” yet engines now show it scores as well as any other major line for Black.
• Magnus Carlsen used the Breyer in his World Championship defence vs. Anand (2014, Game 11) and held an effortless draw en route to retaining the title.
• Because many tabiyas arise after 15–20 quiet moves, the Breyer is a favourite of top players when they need a solid result with Black.

Practical Tips

• White players must be ready for both …c5 and …d5; rehearsing model plans (Bc2-g5-h4, a4-b4, g4-Ng3-f5) is essential.
• Black should avoid premature exchanges: keeping the dark-squared bishop and knights on the board preserves the defensive framework.
• Endgame aficionados will enjoy studying the classic Breyer rook-and-minor-piece endings; many draw themes revolve around the sturdy e5-pawn.