Spanish: Modern Steinitz, 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3

Spanish: Modern Steinitz, 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3

Definition

The Modern Steinitz Defence is a branch of the Ruy Lopez (Spanish Opening) that begins with the moves 1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6. After White castles (5.O-O), Black pins the knight with 5…Bg4, and the tabiya addressed here continues 6.h3, attacking the bishop. In the ECO classification it is coded C72.

Move Order

Typical sequence:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 d6 (Modern Steinitz Defence; “Old” Steinitz starts with 4…d6 before …a6)
5. O-O Bg4 (Black pins the f3-knight, reinforcing e5)
6. h3 (White questions the pin; the bishop must decide where to retreat)

Strategic Ideas

• Black’s concept. By playing …d6 early, Black builds a solid “Spanish Wall”: pawns on e5 & d6, pieces behind them. The pin …Bg4 increases indirect pressure on d4 and may provoke weaknesses (e.g. g4).
• White’s plan. The h3 thrust forces Black either to relinquish the pin (…Bxf3 or …Bh5) or to stake something with the sharp 6…h5!? line. White usually follows with c3 & d4, expanding in the centre, or with g4 in some razor-sharp variations.
• The bishop decision.
  • 6…Bh5 7.d4 exd4 8.g4! is the most theoretical battleground.
  • 6…Bxf3 7.Qxf3 Nf6 transposes to calmer waters but concedes the bishop pair.
  • 6…h5!? keeps the pin and leads to a Richter-Rauzer-style imbalance on the kingside.
• Long-term themes.
  • White often aims for a space advantage and the two bishops.
  • Black relies on a compact structure, latent queenside counterplay (…c6, …d5) and piece manoeuvres (…Nf6–d7–f8–g6).

Historical Development

Wilhelm Steinitz introduced the Steinitz Defence with 3…d6 (the “Old” line) in the late 19th century. The “Modern” treatment—delaying …d6 until after 3…a6—was popularised in the 1920s and 30s by players such as Savielly Tartakower and later refined by Vasily Smyslov. The specific 5…Bg4 6.h3 branch enjoyed a renaissance in the 1980s when it appeared in the repertoires of Jan Timman and later Michael Adams, who sought a resilient alternative to the heavily analysed Marshall and Berlin defences.

Illustrative Games

• Timman – Miles, Tilburg 1984 Timman unleashed the aggressive 7.g4! leading to double-edged play; Miles navigated the complications and eventually held a draw, demonstrating the line’s fighting potential.
• Adams – Anand, Linares 1999 Adams chose the quieter 6…Bxf3 system, accepted a slightly passive position, but neutralised Anand’s bishop pair and drew endgame equality—an example of the line’s solidity at elite level.

Typical Tactics & Motifs

• Pin Exploitation. If Black delays the bishop retreat, the tactical shot g4! can trap the Bh5 after gxh5.
• Central Break …d5. A well-timed …d5 can liberate Black, especially if White’s pieces are committed to a kingside assault.
• Exchange Sacrifice. Black sometimes offers …Rxf3 to shatter White’s centre and dark-square complex.

Example Position (Interactive)

Try exploring this common tabiya:

Interesting Facts

• The Modern Steinitz used to be considered slightly passive, but modern engines show that Black’s structure is amazingly resilient—sometimes evaluated at complete equality despite limited space.
• Because the move 6.h3 is so thematic in the Ruy Lopez, some club players automatically play it one move earlier (on move 6 instead of 5.O-O), unwittingly transposing to other lines where the bishop has not yet pinned the knight.
• Grandmaster Wolfgang Uhlmann, a lifelong 1…e5 devotee, recommended 6…h5!? in his seminal book on the Open Games, coining it “the Dresden Variation.”
• ECO C72 games constitute less than 2 % of all Ruy Lopez encounters in the Mega Database, making it a good practical weapon for surprise value.

Summary

The Spanish: Modern Steinitz, 5.O-O Bg4 6.h3, is a flexible and strategically rich system. White aims for central expansion and the bishop pair; Black accepts a cramped but rock-solid fortress, ready to undermine the centre or counterattack on the wings. Its relative rarity at top level makes it a valuable addition to any 1…e5 player’s repertoire.