Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer

Before the first move

The Breyer Variation of the Ruy Lopez is a deep, strategic battle where Black's knight performs a famous retreat to regroup. While White seeks a powerful center and kingside pressure, Black aims for a rock-solid defense and a flexible counterattack. It is one of the most respected systems in top-level chess.

1. e4White · your move

Push your pawn to e4. This classic opening move claims the center and opens pathways for your queen and light-squared bishop. You are establishing a presence in the heart of the board right from the start.

1... e5Black

Black replies e5, meeting the challenge in the center. While alternatives like the Sicilian Defense (c5) or the French Defense (e6) are extremely common, this move leads to the most historically rich territory in chess.

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

2. Nf3White · your move

Develop your knight to f3. This is the most logical follow-up, attacking the e5-pawn and preparing to castle kingside. You are developing a piece while creating an immediate threat your opponent must address.

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

2... Nc6Black

Black replies Nc6, the most solid defense. Other options like the Petroff Defense (Nf6) or the Elephant Gambit (d5) lead to very different games, but this move keeps the central tension alive for the Ruy Lopez.

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 move defines the Ruy Lopez. You aren't just developing; you are putting pressure on the knight that defends e5, indirectly threatening the central pawn and creating long-term structural tension.

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 replies a6, the Morphy Defense. White must now choose between the Exchange Variation (Bxc6) or the main retreat. Other defenses like the Berlin (Nf6) or the Schliemann (f5) avoid this pawn push entirely.

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. You maintain the pressure on the knight and keep your valuable light-squared bishop on the board. This retreat allows you to keep the pin active while avoiding an immediate trade.

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

4... Nf6Black

Black replies Nf6, attacking e4. This is the most flexible and popular continuation. Black could also try the deferred Bird's Defense (Nd4) or the Classical Defense (Bc5), but developing the knight is the gold standard.

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 kingside. You prioritize your king's safety and bring your rook closer to the center. Interestingly, you are temporarily ignoring the threat to your e4-pawn, as you can win it back later with your rook.

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, choosing the Closed Variation. This is a very solid choice compared to the sharper Open Ruy Lopez (Nxe4) or the Neo-Arkhangelsk (Bc5). Black is ready to castle and consolidate the position.

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 your king is safe, you must defend your e4-pawn. This move also prepares to maneuver your knight from b1 to d2 and eventually toward the kingside.

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 replies b5, finally forcing the bishop away. The only real alternative here is d6, the Averbakh Variation, but b5 is the standard way to expand and gain breathing room for the pieces.

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

7. Bb3White · your move

Retreat your bishop to b3. From this square, the bishop eyes the f7-square and remains a powerful long-range piece. You are tucked away safely while maintaining influence over the center and kingside.

7... d6Black

Black plays d6, a solidifying move. While Black could castle first, d6 is a standard part of the Closed Spanish structure. It prepares for the upcoming maneuvers that define the Breyer and other systems.

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

8. c3White · your move

Push your pawn to c3. This move prepares for a future d4 push to challenge the center and provides an escape square for your bishop on c2 if it is attacked by a knight on a5.

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

8... O-OBlack

Black castles, reaching the main crossroads of the Ruy Lopez. From here, Black has many famous systems like the Chigorin (Na5), the Zaitsev (Re8), or the Breyer, which we are about to see.

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

9. h3White · your move

Push your pawn to h3. This is a prophylactic move, preventing Black from pinning your knight with Bg4. It also prepares for your own expansion and gives your king a little breathing room on the back rank.

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

9... Nb8Black

Black plays Nb8, the defining move of the Breyer Variation. Instead of the Chigorin (Na5) or the Zaitsev (Re8), Black chooses this regrouping. The knight will soon emerge on d7 to support the center.

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)

10. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. You finally strike in the center, challenging Black's e5-pawn. This move opens the position and begins the real fight for central dominance and space.

Other paths here: d3 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense, Quiet Variation)

Where you stand

The position is a masterpiece of maneuvering. White possesses a space advantage and a strong center, while Black's position is incredibly resilient and ready for a counterstrike. White will likely route the b1-knight toward the kingside, while Black will develop the knight to d7 and the bishop to b7, preparing to challenge White's central control.

• b1-g3 Maneuver the knight to the kingside
• b8-d7 Re-develop the knight to support e5
• c8-b7 Fianchetto the bishop to pressure d4
• b3-c2 Tuck the bishop away if attacked