Ruy Lopez: Closed, Flohr System
Ruy Lopez: Closed
Definition
The Closed Ruy Lopez is the family of Spanish-Opening positions that arise after Black plays 5…Be7 and castles, leading to a locked or semi-locked centre in which neither player captures on e4 or e5 early. A “classic” starting diagram is reached after
At move 9, White has just prevented …Bg4 while reserving the option of d2–d4. Black must now choose among several plans (…Na5, …Nb8, …Bb7, …Re8, …h6, etc.), each giving rise to its own sub-variation.
Typical Move Order & Branches
- Chigorin Variation: 9…Na5 10.Bc2 c5
- Breyer Variation: 9…Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7
- Flohr System: 9…Re8 (covered in the next section)
- Zaitsev Variation: 9…Bb7 10.d4 Re8
- Smyslov System: 9…h6 10.d4 Re8 11.Nbd2 Bf8
- Marshall Gambit (technically from move 8): 8…d5!?
Strategic Themes
- Manoeuvring Battle. With the centre fixed, plans revolve around piece re-deployment: Bc2–b3, Nb1–d2–f1–g3 for White; …Nb8–d7–f8–g6 or …Na5–c4 for Black.
- Pawn Breaks. The critical pawn lever is d2–d4 for White. Black replies with …exd4, …d5 or sometimes …c5.
- Minor-Piece Tension. The Spanish bishop on b3 eyes f7; Black’s c8-bishop is often rerouted via e6, g4 or b7.
- End-game Favourability. Because White owns the “Spanish bishop pair,” many variations see White exchanging pieces to reach favourable endings.
Historical & Theoretical Significance
The Closed Ruy has been a staple of world-class play for 150 years. Steinitz, Lasker and Capablanca all contributed to its early theory. In the 20th century the line became the main battlefield of many world championships—particularly the Karpov–Kasparov matches (1984-1990) and more recently Carlsen–Anand (2013).
Illustrative Games
- Karpov – Kasparov, World Ch. (14), Moscow 1985: A model strategic win for White in the Zaitsev branch.
- Kasparov – Anand, Wijk aan Zee 1999: Demonstrates Black’s dynamic chances in the Chigorin.
- Carlsen – Anand, World Ch. (5), Chennai 2013: Shows modern treatment of the Breyer.
Interesting Facts
- Some of the longest published opening analyses—stretching beyond move 40—belong to the Closed Ruy.
- For decades, Soviet players considered the Marshall Gambit the anti-Closed antidote, forcing White to accept wild tactics instead of quiet manoeuvring.
- The opening’s Spanish name “El Español Cerrado” emphasizes its slow, constricted nature compared to the sharper Open Ruy Lopez (5…Nxe4).
Flohr System (Closed Ruy Lopez)
Definition
The Flohr System is a specific branch of the Closed Ruy Lopez that begins with the cagey move 9…Re8 in the main line:
Named after Czech grandmaster Salo Flohr, the idea is to place the rook opposite White’s king, over-protect e5, and prepare the manoeuvre …Bf8 and eventually …d5 or …exd4. The move is flexible: Black does not yet show which knight-retreat (…Na5, …Nb8) or bishop plan (…Bb7, …Bg4) will follow.
Main Plans for Black
- …Bf8 & …g6-fianchetto. After 10.d4 Bf8 Black may expand on the kingside with …g6, …Bg7.
- Central Break …d5. With the rook already on e8, the pawn push …d5 can be supported by …Bf8, …Nd7 and sometimes …c5.
- Zaitsev “upgrade.” By inserting 9…Re8 first, Black can choose to transpose into the modern Zaitsev with …Bb7 at a convenient moment.
Typical Continuations
- 10.d4 Bf8 11.Nbd2 h6 12.a4 Bb7 (Zaitsev-style approach)
- 10.d4 exd4 11.cxd4 Na5 12.Bc2 c5 (Chigorin-style central play)
- 10.d4 h6 11.Nbd2 Bf8 12.a4 Bd7 (pure Flohr manoeuvring)
Strategic Hallmarks
- Maximum Flexibility. Black keeps all minor pieces on their original squares until White commits.
- Prophylaxis vs. Tactics. 9…Re8 discourages White’s immediate d4–d5 break because e4 would become loose after …Na5.
- Hidden Dynamism. Although often labelled “solid,” the Flohr System can transpose into razor-sharp positions once …d5 or …c5 is played.
Historical Notes
Salo Flohr employed 9…Re8 successfully in the 1930s and 40s. The line went out of fashion until it was revived by analyst Igor Zaitsev for Anatoly Karpov’s 1978 title defence against Viktor Korchnoi. Karpov later used the system in numerous games versus Kasparov, who in turn prepared massive novelties to challenge it.
Illustrative Game
Karpov – Korchnoi, World Ch. (10), Baguio City 1978
Karpov’s quiet 12.d5! squeezed Black in a typical Flohr-Zaitsev structure, showcasing White’s queenside space advantage and control of the d-file.
Interesting Facts
- The secret Zaitsev files prepared for Karpov were held under lock and key for years; only after the 1984 match were they partially published.
- Many modern engines prefer 9…Re8 over 9…Na5 or 9…Bb7, valuing its elastic setup and avoidance of forced sequences.
- Because the line is so transpositional, entire repertoires can be built around 9…Re8 by selectively steering into Chigorin, Zaitsev or Breyer-type middlegames.