Ruy Lopez: Closed
ECO C92 · Ruy Lopez · positional · intermediate
The Ruy Lopez: Closed (C92) is a positional chess opening in the Ruy Lopez family, played by White. 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 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3. Classical structure. Deep strategic maneuvering. Recommended for intermediate players.
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
About this opening
The Closed Ruy Lopez is the great strategic main line of the Spanish: after ...Be7, ...O-O, ...d6 and ...b5, Black solidifies the center while White carries out the Nb1-d2-f1-g3 maneuver to prepare a kingside attack. Black seeks counterplay with ...Na5 and ...c5 (Chigorin system) or the ...d5 break. It is a battle of patience where every square matters, studied by every world champion.