1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3
The many different systems of the Closed Spanish are the arena for countless high-class grandmaster games.
The Chigorin system, which opens with 9...Na5, is one of the oldest in the Closed Spanish complex. The idea is to fluff the c-pawn and send it forwards after 10.Bc2 with 10...c5. After 11.d4 the centre is under high tension and both sides must carefully weigh up which change in the pawn structure they allow or aim for.
For Black, opening the c-file with ...cxd4 cxd4 is a standard procedure. As White, Fischer liked to play dxc5 dxc5 to expose the d5-square, which he guarded with Nb1-d2-f1-e3. Karpov, on the other hand, was a master of positions with the d4-d5 blockade.
In the 1960s and 1970s, 9...Nb8, the Breyer system, was very popular and was often played by Spassky, Gligoric, Beliavsky, Portisch and Karpov. The knight retreat seems paradoxical, but the move also has many positive aspects.
Again, the c-pawn becomes mobile and can attack the white centre with ...c5 or ...c6 (after White's d2-d4-d5). The diagonal a8-h1 is cleared so that ...Bb7 with pressure against e4 becomes possible. The queen's knight itself finds a safe spot on d7, from where it reliably covers the squares c5 and e5. The disadvantage of this set-up is that it is somewhat slow and leaves White free to choose his plan.
In the 1980s, 9...Bb7, the Zaitsev Variation, was the favourite choice of Black players.
The bishop potentially exerts pressure from b7 against e4, which is reinforced by a quick ...Re8 (along with ...Bf8). Kasparov and Karpov discussed this position in their World Championship matches in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1990, with some games taking a very sharp and dramatic course.
The older variation, named after former world champion Vassily Smyslov (1921-2010), also regroups on the black kingside according to the scheme ...Re8, ...Bf8, but since Black first protects the g5-square against white piece losses with 9...h6, Black's counterplay is somewhat slower here.
Another plan is 9...Nd7 followed by ...Bf6.
Black is very solid and controls the black squares, but the disadvantage is that no pressure is exerted on the white position. This plan was played for the first time in 1943 also by V. Smyslov. After almost half of the century, the 12th World Champion Anatoly Karpov played an important role in reviving the move 9...Nd7, which is why this variation is now mostly known as the Karpov Variation.
The Closed Ruy Lopez offers a variety of different systems. In some, the centre is sealed off with d4-d5 and there is no exchange before move 20. In others, the centre is opened, and the power of the pieces is unleashed explosively. If you take a look around, you will definitely discover something for yourself. Whether you're a profound strategist or a bloodthirsty tactician.