Ruy Lopez: Closed, Averbakh Variation

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Averbakh Variation

Definition

The Averbakh Variation of the Closed Ruy Lopez 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. It is cataloged in ECO as C96. White’s ninth move h3 is a classic prophylactic step: it prevents ...Bg4, prepares the central break d4, and supports the trademark Spanish knight maneuver Nbd2–f1–g3/e3. The position is a central tabiya from which Black chooses among several major systems (Chigorin, Breyer, Zaitsev, Keres, etc.).

How it is used in chess

White employs 9. h3 to keep the game in rich, maneuvering channels while sidestepping the immediate Marshall Attack. After 8...O-O, the move 9. d4 would invite the Marshall Attack, so 9. h3 is a popular “Anti-Marshall” choice that still retains all the strategic bite of the Closed Ruy Lopez. Black then selects a setup:

• Chigorin: ...Na5 followed by ...c5, ...Qc7, and often ...Bb7, seeking queenside space and pressure on the center.
• Breyer: ...Nb8–d7–f8, a hyperflexible regrouping aiming for ...g6 or ...exd4 and carefully timed ...c5 or ...d5 breaks.
• Zaitsev: ...Bb7 and ...Re8 (often with ...h6 and ...Bf8), a highly dynamic system that featured in many Karpov–Kasparov WCh battles.
• Keres (and related lines): early ...Re8 with various move-order nuances, keeping options open.

Strategic themes

The Averbakh tabiya encapsulates the essence of the Closed Spanish: slow buildup, prophylaxis, and timed pawn breaks. Key ideas include:

• White’s plan: Nbd2–f1–g3/e3; a2–a4 undermining b5; Bc2 to eye the kingside; Re1 supports e4–e5 or d3–d4; h3 limits Black’s piece activity.
• Black’s plan: Choose a harmonious regrouping (Chigorin/ Breyer/ Zaitsev), prepare ...c5 or ...d5, and consider ...Na5–Nxb3 to damage White’s queenside structure if favorable.
• Pawn breaks: White pushes d4 (often prepared by Nbd2 and Bc2). Black counters with ...c5 or ...d5. The tension often persists for many moves before the center opens.
• Piece activity: The “Spanish knight” on f5 (after Nf1–g3–f5) can become a monster. Black’s light-squared bishop can pivot to b7 (Zaitsev) or stay flexible (Breyer).

Move-order nuances and transpositions

The Averbakh position can also be reached via 8. h3 O-O 9. c3. Both 9. h3 and the earlier 8. h3 are widely used Anti-Marshall tools. After 9. h3, Black’s choice (9...Na5, 9...Nb8, 9...Bb7, 9...Re8, or 9...h6) largely defines which Closed Ruy Lopez system the game will transpose into.

Typical position to visualize

After 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, typical piece placement is:

• White: King g1; Queen d1; Rooks a1 and e1; Knights b1 and f3; Bishops b3 and c1; pawns a2 b2 c3 d2 e4 f2 g2 h3.
• Black: King g8; Queen d8; Rooks a8 and f8; Knights c6 and f6; Bishops e7 and c8; pawns a6 b5 c7 d6 e5 f7 g7 h7.

Main continuations (illustrative)

Two sample continuations from the Averbakh tabiya:

• Chigorin setup: 9...Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qc7 12. Nbd2 Bd7 with pressure on the center and queenside play for Black, while White eyes a kingside build-up.
• Breyer setup: 9...Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 11. Nbd2 Bb7 12. Bc2 Re8 13. b3 Bf8, a sophisticated waiting game in which both sides maneuver before breaking.

Explore the starting tabiya here:

Strategic and historical significance

Named after Soviet grandmaster Yuri Averbakh, a legendary theoretician and endgame authority, the variation embodies the classical Spanish approach: small advantages, control of key squares, and long-term piece improvement. At the highest level, 9. h3 became the standard answer to the Marshall gambit, keeping the game in positional channels and allowing Black to declare his system first. The Averbakh tabiya figured prominently in the Karpov–Kasparov World Championship matches (mid-1980s), especially in their Zaitsev battles, and it remains a mainstay of elite repertoires today.

Examples

• Model line (Zaitsev flavor): 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 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a4 h6 13. Bc2 with a rich maneuvering fight on both wings.
• Historical note: Many games from Karpov–Kasparov, World Championship matches (1984–1986), began with 9. h3 and then entered the Zaitsev Variation. These games are classic studies in maneuvering, prophylaxis, and timed pawn breaks.

Practical tips

• As White, don’t rush d4; coordinate Nbd2–f1–g3/e3 and consider Bc2 before central breaks.
• Always watch for ...exd4 cxd4 Na5–Nxb3 ideas; keep b3 sufficiently defended or be ready to recapture favorably.
• As Black, choose a coherent system: in Chigorin, prioritize ...c5 and queenside space; in Breyer, complete regrouping before striking; in Zaitsev, be ready for sharp changes after ...Re8–Bf8.
• Move orders matter: 9. h3 avoids the immediate Marshall; playing 9. d4 instead lets Black unleash ...d5!.

Interesting facts

• Yuri Averbakh (1922–2022) was a centenarian grandmaster and renowned endgame author; his name also labels a well-known system in the King’s Indian Defense.
• Engine-era verdicts consider the Averbakh tabiya roughly balanced but incredibly rich, making it a perennial favorite at all time controls.
• The 9. h3 tabiya is a “decision node” for Black: your next move (Na5, Nb8, Bb7, Re8, or h6) essentially chooses your Spanish repertoire for the game.