Spanish: Closed, 8...d6

Before the first move

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest and most respected openings in chess. In this Closed Variation, White builds a powerful center while Black creates a solid, flexible defensive shell. It is a deep, strategic struggle where understanding piece placement is more important than memorizing sharp tactical traps.

1. e4White · your move

Push your pawn to e4. This move claims the center, opens lines for your queen and light-squared bishop, and follows the most classic principle of chess development.

1... e5Black

Black replies with e5, entering the Open Games. While alternatives like the French Defense with e6 or the Sicilian with c5 are common, this leads to the most direct central confrontation.

Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)

2. Nf3White · your move

Bring your knight to f3. This develops a piece toward the center and immediately puts pressure on Black's e5-pawn, forcing them to find a way to defend it.

Other paths here: Ke2 (Bongcloud Attack) · d4 (Center Game) · c4 (English Opening: The Whale) · Ne2 (King's Pawn Game: Alapin Opening)

2... Nc6Black

Black defends with Nc6, the main line. Other choices like the Petrov Defense with Nf6 or the Philidor with d6 lead to very different types of games.

Other paths here: d5 (Elephant Gambit) · Qe7 (Gunderam Defense) · Bc5 (King's Pawn Game: Busch-Gass Gambit) · f6 (King's Pawn Game: Damiano Defense)

3. Bb5White · your move

Slide your bishop to b5. This is the Ruy Lopez. You aren't just developing; you are indirectly attacking the defender of the e5-pawn and creating long-term pressure on Black's structure.

Other paths here: Nxe5 (Irish Gambit) · g3 (King's Knight Opening: Konstantinopolsky) · c4 (King's Pawn Game: Dresden Opening) · b4 (King's Pawn Game: Pachman Wing Gambit)

3... a6Black

Black plays a6, the Morphy Defense. It is the most popular response by far, though the Berlin Defense with Nf6 or the Schliemann Gambit with f5 are famous alternatives.

Other paths here: Bb4 (Ruy Lopez: Alapin Defense) · g5 (Ruy Lopez: Brentano Gambit) · a5 (Ruy Lopez: Bulgarian Variation) · Nge7 (Ruy Lopez: Cozio Defense)

4. Ba4White · your move

Retreat your bishop to a4. By keeping the bishop on this diagonal, you maintain the pin on the knight and keep the pressure alive without giving up your powerful minor piece.

Other paths here: Bxc6 (Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation) · Bc4 (Spanish: 3...a6 4.Bc4)

4... Nf6Black

Black plays Nf6, attacking e4. This is the main line of the Closed Ruy Lopez. Other options like b5 followed by Bc5 are also playable but lead to sharper play.

Other paths here: Nd4 (Ruy Lopez: Bird's Defense Deferred) · Bb4 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Alapin's Defense Deferred) · b5 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Caro Variation) · Bc5 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Classical Defense Deferred)

5. O-OWhite · your move

Castle your king to safety. You prioritize king security and bring your rook closer to the center, even though it temporarily leaves the e4-pawn undefended.

Other paths here: d3 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Anderssen Variation) · Bxc6 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Bayreuth Variation) · c3 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Jaffe Gambit) · d4 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Mackenzie Variation)

5... Be7Black

Black plays Be7, preparing to castle. The Open Variation with Nxe4 is a much more tactical and forcing alternative that leads to very sharp, theoretical battles.

Other paths here: g6 (Ruy Lopez: Brix Variation) · d5 (Ruy Lopez: Central Countergambit) · Bc5 (Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Neo-Arkhangelsk Variation) · b5 (Spanish: 5.O-O b5)

6. Re1White · your move

Slide your rook to e1. Now that you are castled, the rook defends the e4-pawn and prepares to support a future d4 push in the center.

Other paths here: d4 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Center Attack) · d3 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Martinez Variation) · Nc3 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Morphy Attack) · Bxc6 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Delayed Exchange)

6... b5Black

Black plays b5, driving the bishop back. This is essential before playing d6, as it ensures the knight on c6 is no longer under pressure from the bishop.

Other paths here: d6 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Averbakh Variation)

7. Bb3White · your move

Retreat your bishop to b3. From this square, the bishop remains very active, eyeing the f7-pawn and exerting influence over the center from a safe distance.

7... O-OBlack

Black castles, finishing the initial development. At this stage, Black could also play d6 immediately, but castling first is the most flexible approach.

Other paths here: Bb7 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Trajkovic Counterattack) · d6 (Spanish: Closed 7...d6)

8. c3White · your move

Move your pawn to c3. This is a key preparation move. It provides a retreat square for your bishop on c2 and prepares the vital d4 central break.

Other paths here: a4 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Anti-Marshall) · d3 (Spanish: Closed, 8.d3) · h3 (Spanish: Closed, 8.h3)

8... d6Black

Black plays d6, reaching the heart of the Closed Ruy Lopez. The alternative is the famous Marshall Attack with d5, a sharp pawn sacrifice that leads to heavy complications.

Other paths here: d5 (Ruy Lopez: Marshall Attack) · Na5 (Leonhardt Variation, Ruy Lopez )

Where you stand

The position is a classic strategic battlefield. White will likely play h3 to prevent a pin on f3 before pushing d4 to seize the center. Black often maneuvers the c6-knight to a5 to challenge the b3-bishop or prepares to relocate the e7-bishop to b7. Both sides have excellent prospects in a long, maneuvering game.

• h2-h3 Prevent the Bg4 pin before d4
• b1-f1 Route the knight toward the kingside
• c6-a5 Challenge the strong bishop on b3
• c8-b7 Fianchetto the bishop to pressure e4