Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

Ruy Lopez

Closed Berlin Defense, Chigorin Variation

C66solidpositionaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5Nf6
  4. 4.O-Od6
  5. 5.d4Nd7

No game statistics for this position yet.

A Closed Berlin line of the Ruy Lopez in which Black answers 5. d4 with the knight retreat 5...Nd7, holding e5 in a solid but cramped setup.

Train it in Theoria

About the Chigorin Variation

The Chigorin Variation of the Closed Berlin Defense arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Nd7. Black declines 4...Nxe4 and supports the center with 4...d6. After 5. d4, the knight drops back to d7 to add a defender to e5 rather than give up the strongpoint with ...exd4. The pawns on d4 and e4 facing d6 and e5 give a Steinitz-like structure, firm but short of space for Black.

Popular continuations

No continuations known for this position yet.