Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense

Before the first move

The Breyer Defense is a sophisticated and flexible approach to the Ruy Lopez. Instead of immediate conflict, Black maneuvers the knight from c6 back to b8 to redeploy it more effectively. This leads to a rich, strategic battle where both sides fight for central control and long-term positional advantages.

1. e4White

White starts with e4, the most popular move at all levels. It immediately controls the d5-square and prepares for rapid development of the kingside pieces.

1... e5Black · your move

Respond by moving your pawn to e5. By mirroring White's move, you stake your own claim in the center and prevent White from easily pushing a second pawn to d4.

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

2. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, attacking the e5-pawn. This is the most testing second move, though you might occasionally see the Alapin (Ne2) or even the Center Game (d4).

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

2... Nc6Black · your move

Bring your knight to c6. This is the most natural way to defend your e5-pawn while developing a piece toward the center to eye the d4-square.

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

White plays Bb5, the signature move of the Ruy Lopez. White ignores the immediate capture on e5 to focus on long-term pressure, unlike the more direct Italian Game (Bc4).

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 · your move

Push your pawn to a6. You are 'putting the question' to the bishop. White must now decide whether to capture your knight or retreat the bishop further back.

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

White plays Ba4, keeping the bishop on the board to maintain the tension. The Exchange Variation (Bxc6) is a major alternative that aims for a better endgame structure.

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

4... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This move attacks the e4-pawn and prepares for kingside castling, following the principle of developing pieces before launching an attack.

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

White castles, prioritizing king safety. White isn't worried about the e4-pawn yet, as the rook will soon move to e1 to create counter-threats along the e-file.

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 · your move

Move your bishop to e7. This quiet move prepares for castling and reinforces your knight on f6, keeping your position flexible and solid against White's pressure.

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

White plays Re1, a multi-purpose move that secures the center. White could also try the Center Attack (d4) or the Worrall Attack (Qe2) to change the character of the game.

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 · your move

Push your pawn to b5. This move forces the white bishop to move again and creates space for your own light-squared bishop to develop on the queenside later.

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

7. Bb3White

White retreats the bishop to b3. It still exert pressure on the center and the kingside, waiting for Black to commit to a specific defensive setup.

7... d6Black · your move

Move your pawn to d6. This solidifies your center and opens a path for your light-squared bishop. You are building a very resilient defensive wall.

Other paths here: O-O (Ruy Lopez: Closed) · Bb7 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Trajkovic Counterattack)

8. c3White

White plays c3, a key preparation for d4. This pawn also guards d4 and allows the bishop to retreat to c2 if Black plays the Chigorin variation with Na5.

Other paths here: d4 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Rosen Attack)

8... O-OBlack · your move

Castle your king to g8. Your king is now safe, and your pieces are harmoniously developed. You are ready to begin your middle-game maneuvers.

Other paths here: Bg4 (Spanish: Closed 7...d6 8.c3 Bg4) · Na5 (Spanish: Closed 7...d6 8.c3 Na5)

9. h3White

White plays h3, stopping any Bg4 ideas. This is standard in the main lines. Alternatives like d4 or a3 exist, but h3 is the most common and patient approach.

Other paths here: Bc2 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Lutikov Variation) · a3 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Suetin Variation) · d4 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Yates Variation)

9... Nb8Black · your move

Retreat your knight to b8. This is the Breyer Defense. You are repositioning the knight to d7, where it will support e5 and allow your c-pawn to move freely.

Other paths here: Bb7 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Flohr System) · Nd7 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Karpov Variation) · Be6 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kholmov Variation) · Re8 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Zaitsev System)

Where you stand

The Breyer leads to a slow, maneuvering struggle. White will typically push d4 and look to expand on the kingside, while Black will redeploy the knight to d7 and the bishop to b7. The game is strategically deep, rewarding players who understand piece coordination and pawn breaks over raw tactical calculation.

• b8-d7 Redeploy knight to support e5 and c5
• c8-b7 Develop bishop to pressure the e4-pawn
• d2-d4 Challenge the center with a pawn push
• b1-d2 Route the knight toward the kingside
• b3-c2 Protect the bishop and support d4