Closed, Breyer Defense, Zaitsev Hybrid
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.Bb5a6
- 4.Ba4Nf6
- 5.O-OBe7
- 6.Re1b5
- 7.Bb3d6
- 8.c3O-O
- 9.h3Nb8
- 10.d4Nbd7
687 games
Breyer Defense position after 10...Nbd7, where the rerouted knight guards e5 and frees b7 for the bishop in a slow, maneuvering Closed Ruy Lopez.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Zaitsev Hybrid
The Zaitsev Hybrid is the position reached when Black completes the Breyer knight transfer with 10...Nbd7 after 10. d4. The knight guards e5 and clears b7 for the bishop, which, as in the Zaitsev Variation (9...Bb7), can later bear down on e4. White most often continues 11. Nbd2, preparing the Nf1–g3 regrouping, with 11. a4 and 11. Bg5 as alternatives. Engines also rate 11. Bc2 and 11. c4 highly and give White a slight edge.