Steinitz Deferred — Ruy Lopez Defence Deferred
Steinitz Deferred (Ruy Lopez, Steinitz Defence Deferred)
Definition
The Steinitz Deferred, more formally the Ruy Lopez, Steinitz Defence Deferred, is a branch of the Ruy Lopez that begins with the moves:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bb5 a6
- Ba4 d6
How It Is Used in Chess
The Steinitz Deferred serves as a solid, somewhat flexible reply to the Ruy Lopez. By first playing 3…a6, Black both questions the bishop on b5 and gains space on the queenside; only then does Black reinforce the e5-pawn with 4…d6. The structure usually leads to tense manoeuvring games in which:
- White strives for the thematic d2–d4 break, kingside pressure and piece activity.
- Black seeks a sturdy centre, timely …g6/…Bg7 setups, and often counters on the queenside with …b5, …Na5, or …c5.
Strategic & Historical Significance
• Historical roots. Wilhelm Steinitz, the first official World Champion, introduced the whole Steinitz Defence (3…d6) in the late 19th century, advocating a fortified centre and gradual counterplay—philosophies that underpinned his positional school of thought. By deferring …d6, later theoreticians refined his idea to reduce early pressure from lines like 4.d4.
• Modern relevance. The deferred line received renewed attention in the late 20th century when players such as Anatoly Karpov and Nigel Short adopted it as a surprise weapon, appreciating its strategic richness and lower volume of forcing theory compared with the Marshall or Berlin.
• Positional themes.
- Locked centre. After …d6 and …Nf6, Black keeps the e5-pawn firmly anchored, leading to a Scheveningen-style formation once …c5 is played.
- Minor-piece battles. The fate of White’s light-square bishop (Ba4–c2–b3) and Black’s queen’s knight (which may go to a5, b8–d7–f8) often dictates middlegame plans.
- Slow burn. Both sides typically castle kingside; breakthroughs occur later, making the line attractive to players who enjoy maneuvering over early tactical melee.
Illustrative Example
A main tabiya arises after:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bb5 a6
- Ba4 d6
- c3 Nf6
- d4 Bd7
- O-O Be7
Position after 7…Be7: White has a strong centre pending d4-d5, while Black has a compact
structure ready for …O-O, …b5 and queenside expansion. This setup typifies the
middlegame plans described above.
Notable Games
- Karpov – Short, Linares 1992
Short equalised comfortably with the Steinitz Deferred and eventually drew against the then-World Champion after an intricate rook ending. - Kasparov – Lputian, USSR Ch. Higher League 1987
Kasparov’s aggressive 5.d4 led to sharp complications, but Lputian’s accurate defensive manoeuvres showcased the line’s resilience. - Chigorin – Steinitz, Havana 1892 (match, Game 5)
Though technically the older 3…d6 line, Steinitz later analysed the deferred version in his annotations, emphasising its strategic improvements.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Steinitz himself never played 3…a6; the “deferred” tag was coined by later analysts as the opening evolved.
- Because it skirts some of the Ruy Lopez’s most deeply analysed main lines, the Steinitz Deferred is a favourite of correspondence and rapid specialists seeking fresh positions with reasonable risk.
- In online blitz databases, Black’s practical results in the Steinitz Deferred hover around an impressive 49 % win rate at master level—better than many other off-beat Ruy Lopez sidelines.
Typical Continuations
After the basic seven-move skeleton, common branches include:
- 8.Re1Nbd7 9.Nbd2 O-O 10.Nf1 Re8 — the “Main Classical” route.
- 8.Bc2 O-O 9.h3 Re8 10.Re1 Bf8 — White keeps the bishop on the a2–g8 diagonal.
- 8.d5 Na5 9.Bc2 c6 — a more direct approach aiming to cramp Black.
Who Should Play It?
Choose the Steinitz Deferred if you:
- Prefer solid but non-Berlin ways to meet the Ruy Lopez.
- Enjoy rich manoeuvring middlegames over concrete forcing theory.
- Don’t mind a slightly passive setup in exchange for structural soundness.
Conversely, avoid it if you crave immediate counter-punches like the Marshall Gambit or are unwilling to handle long, technical endgames.