Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C94), reached after 18 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black knight — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

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10.d3 1 line
- C94 Quiet Variation
10.d4 1 line
- C95 Zaitsev Hybrid

About this opening

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C94. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 18 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8.

It belongs to the Ruy Lopez family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Closed → Breyer Defense line). The immediate parent line is Ruy Lopez: Closed, transitioned via 9…Nb8.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bb5 a6, 4.Ba4 Nf6, 5.O-O Be7, 6.Re1 b5. From this position 2 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.