Theoria
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Ruy Lopez

Closed, Borisenko Variation

C96positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5a6
  4. 4.Ba4Nf6
  5. 5.O-OBe7
  6. 6.Re1b5
  7. 7.Bb3d6
  8. 8.c3O-O
  9. 9.h3Na5
  10. 10.Bc2c5
  11. 11.d4Nc6
183 games52%42%

A Chigorin Defense branch of the Closed Ruy Lopez where Black brings the knight straight back with 11...Nc6 to pressure d4; a rarely played line.

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About the Borisenko Variation

The Borisenko Variation is a branch of the Chigorin Defense in the Closed Ruy Lopez, or Closed Spanish. After 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4, Black brings the knight back from a5 at once with 11...Nc6, adding pressure on d4 and supporting queenside expansion. The most common reply, 12. d5, gains space, drives the knight away and closes the center. The alternatives 12. Nbd2 and 12. Be3 maintain the central tension. Engines favor White, and the line is seldom seen.

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