Spanish: Closed, 8.d3 d6
Spanish: Closed
Definition
The Closed Spanish is the principal branch of the Ruy Lopez (also called the Spanish Opening). It 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 O-O, after which Black delays …d7–d6, keeping the dark-squared bishop on c8 as long as possible and aiming for …Bb7, …Re8 and …Bf8. This contrast with the Open Spanish, where Black plays the immediate 5…Nxe4, and with early …d6 systems such as the Steinitz Defence.
Strategic Themes
- Central Tension – White tries to build a dominant pawn centre with c2–c3 and d2–d4; Black attacks it with …d5 or piece pressure.
- Minor-Piece Manoeuvres – Classic plans include Nb1–d2–f1–g3 (or e3/h2), Re1–f1 and Bc1–e3 followed by Nbd2–f1–g3 for White; Black counters with …Nb8–d7–f8–g6 and …Bc8-e6/g4 or …Bb7.
- Slow, Positional Nature – Pawns stay fixed for many moves; play revolves around prophylaxis, space and long-term outposts (especially the d5-square).
Historical Significance
The Closed Spanish dominated elite practice throughout the 20th century—Capablanca, Smyslov, Fischer, Karpov and Kasparov all featured it in World-Championship matches. Its golden age arguably began with Lasker–Capablanca, St Petersburg 1914, where subtle manoeuvring impressed future generations.
Famous Examples
- Fischer – Spassky, World Championship 1972, game 6 (Fischer’s “Spanish masterpiece” with the exchange sacrifice 26.Rxf6!).
- Kasparov – Karpov, World Championship 1985, game 16 (Kasparov’s novelty 17…c5! held the fortress and contributed to his title win).
Interesting Facts
- Because the first seven moves are so heavily explored, some modern grandmasters use the Anti-Marshall (8.a4) or the Møller (6.d3) to sidestep long theoretical debates.
- The Closed Spanish is a favourite of engines in long time-controls because it offers a rich but strategically sound pawn structure with long horizons for deep calculation.
8.d3 d6 (Ruy Lopez, Anti-Marshall/Delayed c3 System)
Definition
The move sequence 8.d3 d6 appears in the Closed Spanish after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O. Instead of the customary 8.c3 preparing d2–d4, White opts for 8.d3, keeping the c-pawn flexible. Black replies symmetrically with 8…d6, entering a quiet, non-Marshall set-up often called the 8.d3 System or Neo-Steinitz Hybrid.
Usage and Typical Plans
- White
- Maintains a solid centre (pawns on e4 & d3).
- Keeps the option of c2-c3 followed by a later d3-d4 or c2-c4 gaining queenside space.
- Common manoeuvre: Nbd2–f1–g3 aiming at f5/h5 or e5.
- Black
- Proceeds with …Na5, …c5 or …Bb7 and prepares …Re8–Bf8 for a typical Spanish blockade.
- Can transpose to a Breyer-style structure with …Nb8–d7–f8 or a Chigorin-like …Bb7 & …exd4 depending on White’s set-up.
Strategic Significance
8.d3 deprives Black of the Marshall Counter-Attack (8.c3 d5), forcing the game into quieter positional channels. It also sidesteps massive engine-backed theory, appealing to professionals who want to “just play chess”.
Model Game
[[Pgn| e4|e5|Nf3|Nc6|Bb5|a6|Ba4|Nf6|O-O|Be7|Re1|b5|Bb3|O-O|d3|d6|c3|Na5|Bc2|c5|d4|Qc7|h3|Nc6|d5|Nd8|Nbd2|Ne8|| ar rows|d3d4,c2c5|squares|d4,c5]]Anand – Vallejo Pons, Linares 2005 illustrated a typical plan: White gradually expanded with d4, provoked structural concessions, and converted a small edge in the endgame.
Interesting Anecdotes
- The move 8.d3 surged in popularity after Magnus Carlsen used it repeatedly in the 2013 and 2014 World-Championship cycles, treating the positions with grinding precision.
- Engines evaluate the line as roughly equal, yet practical results at master level show White scoring a healthy 55%—evidence that comfort and familiarity can outweigh small theoretical margins.
- Because both sides have mirrored d-pawns, commentators sometimes joke that “the Spanish has become an Italian”— a nod to the Gioachino from earlier e4-e5 openings.