Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense

Before the first move

The Chigorin Defense is a cornerstone of the Ruy Lopez, leading to a complex, strategic battle. Black aims to challenge White's central control while creating counterplay on the queenside. White seeks a slow build-up, maneuvering pieces to the kingside while maintaining a space advantage in the center.

1. e4White

White starts with e4, the most popular move at all levels. It immediately controls the d5-square and prepares for rapid development. Alternatives like d4 or c4 lead to very different pawn structures and strategic themes.

1... e5Black · your move

Respond by moving your pawn to e5. This mirrors White's control of the center and prevents 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, the most natural developing move. It pressures e5 and prepares for the next phase of the opening. White could try the Center Game with d4 or the Alapin with Ne2, but Nf3 is the gold standard.

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

Develop your knight to c6. This move defends your hanging e5-pawn and develops a piece toward the center of the board.

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, entering the Spanish Game. By attacking the defender of e5, White creates long-term tension. White might also choose the Italian Game with Bc4 or the Scotch Game with d4.

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 forcing White to make a decision about the bishop: will they retreat it or trade it for your knight?

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 tension. The Exchange Variation with Bxc6 is a major alternative where White damages Black's pawn structure in exchange for the bishop pair, but Ba4 is the main line.

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

4... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. You are attacking the e4-pawn and preparing to castle, staying flexible in your defensive setup.

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 could also play d3 to solidify e4 or try the Mackenzie Variation with d4, but castling is the most principled choice in this position.

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

Develop your bishop to e7. This prepares your king for castling and reinforces the knight on f6, which may soon be pinned.

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 standard prophylactic move in the Spanish. It secures the center before expanding. White sometimes tries the Worrall Attack with Qe2 or the Center Attack with d4 instead.

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. You are breaking the pin on your knight and forcing the white bishop to move to a less aggressive square.

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

7. Bb3White

White moves the bishop to b3. It is still well-placed on this diagonal. White must be careful of Black's queenside expansion, but the bishop remains a very powerful piece in this structure.

7... d6Black · your move

Push your pawn to d6. This solidifies your e5-pawn and opens a path for your light-squared bishop to develop.

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

8. c3White

White plays c3, a key move in the Spanish. It prepares to build a strong pawn center with d4. White could also try the Rosen Attack with d4 immediately, but c3 is more patient and flexible.

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

8... O-OBlack · your move

Castle your king to g8. Your development is nearly complete, and your king is now tucked away safely behind a wall of pawns.

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

9. h3White

White plays h3, a vital prophylactic move. It stops the annoying Bg4 pin. White could also play d4 immediately or move the bishop to c2, but h3 is a hallmark of the main line systems.

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

9... Na5Black · your move

Move your knight to a5. You are attacking the bishop on b3 and preparing to expand on the queenside with the c5-pawn push.

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. Bc2White

White retreats the bishop to c2. This is the Chigorin Variation. White keeps the bishop pair and prepares to contest the center with d4, while Black will likely follow up with c5 to gain space.

Where you stand

The stage is set for a deep positional struggle. Black will likely push c5 to challenge the center and space, while White will aim for d4 and a slow kingside maneuver involving the knight moving toward f5. Both sides have solid positions with plenty of room for creative play.

• c7-c5 Challenge the center with the c5 pawn break.
• d2-d4 Establish a full pawn center with d4.
• b1-g3 Maneuver the knight to the kingside via f1.
• a5-c4 Relocate the knight to the strong c4 outpost.