Spanish: Closed; Centre Attack

Spanish: Closed

Definition

The “Closed Spanish” (also called the “Closed Ruy Lopez”) is the main branch of the Ruy Lopez opening that arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7. Black reinforces the e5-pawn with …Be7 instead of capturing on e4 (the Open Spanish) or playing other sidelines. The position is classically “closed” because the central tension remains and both sides manoeuvre behind their pawn chains before a pawn break finally opens the game.

How it is Used in Play

• Black defends the e5-pawn and quickly castles, aiming for rapid development and long-term solidity.
• White’s typical plan is to build pressure with Re1, c3, d4, and often to relocate the knight via Nbd2–f1–g3 (or e3).
• Both sides engage in elaborate piece manoeuvres (rook lifts, knight reroutes, pawn breaks …d5 or d6–d5) before the position finally becomes open.

Strategic & Historical Significance

The Closed Spanish is one of the richest strategic battlegrounds in chess history. World-championship theory for more than a century—Capablanca–Alekhine (1927), Smyslov–Botvinnik (1954–58), Fischer–Spassky (1972), Karpov–Kasparov (1984–90), right up to modern super-GM practice—has revolved around its many sub-systems:

• Chigorin: 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.h3 Na5
• Zaitsev: 9…Bb7, a favourite of Karpov and later the subject of Kasparov’s home laboratory
• Breyer: 9…Nb8, championed by Breyer (1911) and revitalised by Spassky and later Anand
• Smyslov/Petrosian/Karpov systems: setups with …h6 and …Re8 (or …d6) avoiding an early …Bb7

Illustrative Example

After 17…Qc7 the main tension centres on whether White can achieve d4–d5 or Black can strike first with …c5-c4 or …d6-d5. The position is “closed” yet bristling with latent energy.

Notable Games

• Fischer vs Spassky, World Championship 1972 (Game 6) – Fischer’s masterful queenside expansion in the Chigorin line.
• Kasparov vs Karpov, World Championship 1985 (Game 16) – Kasparov’s famous exchange sacrifice (Re1–e3–g3) in the Zaitsev.
• Anand vs Kramnik, WCC 2008 (Game 3) – Demonstrates modern understanding of the Breyer with precise move orders to blunt White’s pressure.

Interesting Facts

• The phrase “Closed Spanish” first appeared in late-19^th-century German literature (as “Geschlossene Spanische Partie”).
• In the famous 1978 film Opening Theory by GM David Bronstein, the Closed Spanish was described as “a violin with infinite strings.”
• Because so many world-championship games feature it, database statistics show that more grandmaster games start with the Closed Spanish position after move 5 than with any other specific opening position.

Centre Attack

Definition

“Centre Attack” (also spelled “Center Attack”) is a general chess term describing any plan or variation in which one side launches direct, forceful pressure against the opponent’s central pawn formation—especially the d- and e-files. The term is also used as the official name of several opening sub-variations (e.g., the Caro-Kann Advance, Centre Attack: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c4).

Key Ideas in Practice

• Pawn Breaks: Moves like d4-d5, e4-e5, or c4–c5 that rupture the pawn centre.
• Open Files: By exchanging central pawns, players open the e- and d-files for rooks and queens.
• Piece Activity: Knights often jump to d5/e5/f5 squares once the centre dissolves; bishops become powerful on the long diagonals.
• Timing: A premature Centre Attack can backfire if the attacker’s king is unsecured or development is lagging.

Representative Opening Variations Called “Centre Attack”

1. Caro-Kann Advance, Centre Attack: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c4. White immediately counters Black’s …c5 break by erecting a massive pawn wedge on e5/d4/c4.
2. French Defence, Advance Variation (sometimes labelled “Centre Attack”): 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 (!). Black’s …c5 challenges the centre at once; if White continues 4. Nf3, play resembles a Centre Attack structure.
3. Sicilian Defence, Smith-Morra Gambit “Centre Attack”: After 1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nxc3 d6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. O-O, White often sacrifices another pawn with e5! to blow open the centre.

Historical & Strategic Importance

Central attacks feature prominently in many classic encounters. Wilhelm Steinitz demonstrated their power in the late 1800s, proving that a minority of pieces—if centrally posted—could outweigh material deficits. In modern praxis, a well-timed Centre Attack is prized for:

• Creating tactical opportunities against an uncastled king.
• Seizing space and fixing opponent’s pieces to defence.
• Offering dynamic compensation for material (e.g., Gambits that target the centre).

Illustrative Game

Kasparov vs Deep Blue, 1997  (Game 1) Kasparov unleashed a thematic Centre Attack break 18.d4-d5! in a Caro-Kann structure, instantly activating both bishops and rooks. Although the computer later defended resourcefully, commentators hailed the move as a model of central dynamism against a silicon opponent.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• George Koltanowski, the famous blindfold wizard, called the Centre Attack “the heartbeat of open chess.”
• Because engines value central space highly, many modern repertoires designed by computer analysis (e.g., AlphaZero vs Stockfish matches) include deliberately sacrificial Centre Attacks.
• Some databases list over 40 distinct ECO codes where the sub-variation name includes “Center/Centre Attack,” highlighting how pervasive the theme is across openings.