Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense

Before the first move

The Chigorin Defense is a cornerstone of the Ruy Lopez, where Black seeks a rich, strategic battle. By maneuvering the knight to a5 and pushing c5, you challenge White's central dominance while maintaining a solid, flexible structure. It is an opening of patience, preparation, and deep positional understanding for both sides.

1. e4White

White opens with e4, the most popular move in chess. By controlling the d5 and f5 squares, White invites an open game where piece activity and central control will dictate the early pace of the match.

1... e5Black · your move

Respond by pushing your pawn to e5. This mirrors White's move, establishing your own stake in the center and preventing White from easily advancing further. It leads to the most traditional and deeply studied lines in chess.

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

2. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, immediately questioning Black's central pawn. While the Center Game with d4 or the Alapin with Ne2 are possible, the knight move is the gold standard for developing with a direct threat.

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

Move your knight to c6 to defend your pawn. This is the most natural way to protect e5 while developing a piece toward the center. It keeps the balance and prepares for the upcoming struggle.

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 Spanish Opening. This is more sophisticated than the Italian Game's Bc4, as it creates long-term pressure. Rare sidelines like the Konstantinopolsky or the Dresden Opening are far less challenging.

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 to put the question to the bishop. You want to know if White will trade or retreat. This move, known as Morphy's Defense, is the most flexible way to handle the pressure.

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, opting to keep the bishop rather than entering the Exchange Variation with Bxc6. By retreating, White hopes to maintain the Spanish pressure while forcing you to continue your development carefully.

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

4... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This attacks the e4-pawn and prepares for kingside castling. It is a vital step in completing your development and challenging White's central 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, ignoring the threat to e4 for now. This leads into the main lines. White could also choose d3 to protect the pawn solidly, but castling is the most principled and aggressive approach.

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 quiet move prepares for castling and reinforces your knight on f6. It is the hallmark of the Closed Ruy Lopez, favoring a solid structure over immediate tactical skirmishes.

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. This solidifies the center and prepares for a long maneuvering battle. White could also try the Worrall Attack with Qe2, but the rook move is the classic choice.

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 breaks the pin on your knight and forces the white bishop to move again. It also gains space on the queenside, which will be important for your future plans.

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

7. Bb3White

White retreats the bishop to b3. This is the only logical square. The bishop is now tucked away safely but still exerts significant influence over the center and the kingside.

7... d6Black · your move

Push your pawn to d6. This solidifies your e5-pawn and opens a path for your light-squared bishop. It is a modest but essential move that builds a rock-solid foundation for your position.

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

8. c3White

White plays c3, a classic Spanish maneuver. By preparing d4, White aims to dominate the center. The Rosen Attack with an immediate d4 is a sharper, more direct alternative that you must always be ready for.

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

8... O-OBlack · your move

Castle your king to safety. Now that your center is reinforced and your queenside is expanded, it is time to tuck the king away and prepare for the complex maneuvers ahead.

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 almost mandatory in the main lines. White could also play d4 immediately, known as the Yates Variation, but h3 is more patient and controlled.

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. This is the start of the Chigorin maneuver. You are attacking the powerful bishop on b3 and preparing to push your c-pawn to challenge 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. Bc2White

White plays Bc2, keeping the bishop pair. This is the standard response. The bishop is now shielded behind the pawn chain, waiting for the center to open up before it becomes a monster again.

10... c5Black · your move

Push your pawn to c5. You are finally challenging White's control of the d4-square. This move gains space and prepares to develop your queen to c7, creating a very resilient setup.

Other paths here: d5 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense, Gajewski Gambit) · c6 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Rossolimo Defense)

11. d4White

White finally plays d4, the central break. The tension is now at its peak. You must decide how to handle the pressure on your e5-pawn while maintaining your own queenside counterplay.

11... Qc7Black · your move

Develop your queen to c7. This move defends the e5-pawn and prepares to put more pressure on the center. It is a classic square for the queen in the Chigorin, keeping it safe but active.

Other paths here: Nc6 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Borisenko Variation) · Nd7 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Keres Defense)

12. Nbd2White

White plays Nbd2, beginning the famous knight tour. White aims to bring more pieces toward your king. You must now decide how to finish your development and react to the central pressure.

12... Nc6Black · your move

Bring your knight back to c6. After driving the bishop away, the knight returns to a more central square to put direct pressure on d4. This forces White to make a decision about the central tension.

Other paths here: cxd4 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense, Panov System) · Bd7 (Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin, Yugoslav System)

Where you stand

The position is a strategic masterpiece. White will likely close the center with d5 or maintain the tension while maneuvering the knight to f1 and g3. Black's plan involves queenside expansion and potentially a central break with f5 much later. Both sides must navigate a dense forest of tactical and positional nuances where one wrong step can be fatal.

• d2-g3 Route the knight to the kingside
• c6-b4 Pressure the queenside and c3 pawn
• c1-e3 Develop the bishop to control d4
• f6-d7 Reposition the knight for central defense
• d4-d5 Close the center to gain space