Theoria
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Ruy Lopez

Closed, Balla Variation

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  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5a6
  4. 4.Ba4Nf6
  5. 5.O-OBe7
  6. 6.Re1b5
  7. 7.Bb3d6
  8. 8.c3Na5
  9. 9.Bc2c5
  10. 10.d4Qc7
  11. 11.a4

No game statistics for this position yet.

A Closed Ruy Lopez line where Black plays an early 8...Na5 before castling and White answers with a direct d4 and a queenside strike by 11. a4.

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About the Balla Variation

The Balla Variation is built around the old-fashioned 8...Na5, played before Black has castled. With the knight gone from c6, Black's control of d4 is reduced, so White can play d4 at once without first spending a tempo on h3. After 9. Bc2 c5 10. d4 Qc7, White plays 11. a4, pressing against the b5 pawn and looking to open the a-file while Black's king remains uncastled.

Popular continuations

No continuations known for this position yet.