Ruy Lopez: Closed, Pilnik Variation
Ruy Lopez: Closed
Definition
The Closed Ruy Lopez is the family of positions that arise after the opening moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 (or 7…O-O followed by …d6) in the Ruy Lopez. By playing …d6 Black deliberately “closes” the centre, steering the game away from the sharp Open Ruy Lopez (7…Nxe4) and into a maneuvering struggle rich in slow-burn positional ideas.
Usage in Chess Literature and Practical Play
• Classified under the ECO codes C84–C99.
• A mainstay at top-level events, featuring in World Championship
matches from Steinitz–Chigorin (1889) to Carlsen–Nepomniachtchi (2021).
• Frequently recommended in opening manuals for players who enjoy
strategic, plan-oriented struggles.
Strategic Themes
- Spanish bishop versus knight duel: White’s light-squared bishop on b3 (later a2 or c2) eyes f7, while Black’s minor pieces aim to neutralize it by …Na5 or …Bb7.
- Pawns on e4–e5: The locked centre creates a classic “Spanish” tension; pawn breaks with d4 (for White) or …d5/…c5 (for Black) are timed carefully.
- Maneuvering battle: Characteristic knight routes: Nf3–g1–f3–e1–g3 (White) and …Nb8–d7–f8–g6 or …Nb8–c6–a5 (Black).
- Queenside versus kingside play: Black often gains queenside space with …c5 and …b4, while White prepares a kingside initiative with Re1, Nf1–g3 and sometimes a rook lift to g3.
Illustrative Example
The following main-line fragment shows how a typical Closed Ruy Lopez position develops:
[[Pgn|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 Bb7 10.d4 Re8|fen|r4rk1/1b1qbp1p/p1np1np1/1p2p3/3PP3/1BP2N1P/PP1N1PP1/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 5 10]]Historical & Anecdotal Notes
- The term “Closed” became widespread after the 1910 Lasker–Schlechter match, where both players preferred …d6 to the more combative 7…Nxe4.
- José Raúl Capablanca repeatedly demonstrated model plans for both sides; his victory over Alekhine, New York 1927, is still cited in textbooks.
- During the 1972 Fischer–Spassky match, Fischer used the Closed Ruy Lopez as Black (notably in games 9 and 11), proving its solidity at the very highest level.
Interesting Facts
- Because of the vast theory involved, many elite players maintain specialized “Spanish seconds” who focus solely on this opening complex.
- The middlegame structures of the Closed Ruy Lopez are so rich that an entire Encyclopedia of Chess Middlegames volume is dedicated to them.
Pilnik Variation (Closed Ruy Lopez)
Definition
The Pilnik Variation is a specific line of the Closed Ruy Lopez characterised by the retreat 9…Nb8 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. Named after Argentine grandmaster Hermann Pilnik, the move 9…Nb8 looks paradoxical—Black undevelops a piece to reorganise the defence and prepare …c5 or …d5 under more favourable circumstances.
Strategic Ideas
- Knight Redeployment: From b8 the knight often heads to d7–f8–g6, supporting …f5 or controlling e4.
- Flexibility: By avoiding the more common 9…Na5 (Chigorin line), Black keeps the queenside structure intact and can postpone a5–a4 until the right moment.
- Timing the Central Break: Black aims for …c5 or …d5 once the minor pieces are harmoniously placed, challenging White’s pawn centre.
- White’s Plan: Re1, Nbd2-f1-g3 and sometimes a rook lift to g3/h3, coupled with the thematic pawn rupture d4 –d5.
Usage in Modern Practice
Although less common than the Chigorin (9…Na5) or Zaitsev (9…Bb7) systems, the Pilnik Variation periodically appears as a surprise weapon. Players such as Veselin Topalov, Alexander Grischuk and Anish Giri have revitalised the line with new engine-tested ideas.
Illustrative Game
One of Pilnik’s own victories serves as a classic template: Pilnik – Szabo, Stockholm Interzonal 1952.
[[Pgn|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 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Bb7 12.Bc2 Re8 13.Nf1 Bf8 14.Ng3 g6 15.b3 Bg7 16.Bb2 c5 17.d5 c4 18.bxc4 bxc4 19.Ba3 Qc7 20.Rb1 Rab8 21.Nd2 Ba8 22.Rb4 Rxb4 23.Bxb4 Nb6 24.Ba5 Qc5 25.Bxb6 Qxb6 26.Nxc4 Qc7 27.Bd3 Nd7 28.Qa4 Rc8 29.Qxa6 Bf8 30.Rb1 Nc5 31.Qb6 Qd7 32.Bc2 Be7 33.Ne2 Kf8 34.Nc1 h5 35.Nd3 Nxd3 36.Bxd3 Kg7 37.a4 Qxa4 38.Qb4 Qa7 39.Qb6 Qa3 40.Rb3 Qc1+ 41.Kh2 Qf4+ 42.g3 Qf3 43.Qa7 Re8 44.Bb5 Qxe4 45.Bc6 Bxc6 46.dxc6 Qxc6 47.Rb7 Kf8 48.c4 Qxc4 49.Rc7 Qe6 50.Nc3 d5 51.Qb7 d4 52.Nd5 Bd6 53.Rc6 Qxd5 54.Nf6 Qf3 55.Nxe8 Qxf2+ 56.Kh1 Qe1+ 57.Kg2 Qe2+ 58.Kg1 Qe3+ 59.Kf1 Qf3+ 60.Ke1 Qe3+ 61.Kd1 Qd3+ 62.Kc1 Ba3#|fen|]]Historical Tidbits
- Pilnik introduced the idea in the late 1940s; his 1949 victory over Bronstein caused a sensation because computers of that era (human analysts!) considered 9…Nb8 “illogical.”
- In the 1990s, Garry Kasparov used the line via move-order transposition to outfox early versions of chess engines, which struggled with the backward knight retreat.
Interesting Facts
- The move 9…Nb8 depresses many improvers, who are taught “Never move a developed piece twice in the opening.” The Pilnik Variation is a textbook example of when breaking a principle is perfectly sound.
- Because the queen’s knight returns home, some authors jokingly call it the “Yo-Yo Knight.”
- Among current elite players, Fabiano Caruana has the highest performance percentage with the Pilnik according to the database ( rating 2844).