Closed, Pilnik Variation
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.Bb5a6
- 4.Ba4Nf6
- 5.O-OBe7
- 6.Re1b5
- 7.Bb3O-O
- 8.d3d6
- 9.c3
1,095 games
Quiet Closed Ruy Lopez line in which White plays d3 and c3, delaying d4 and often skipping h3; frequently reached via Anti-Marshall move orders.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Pilnik Variation
The Pilnik Variation, also called the Teichmann Variation after the game Teichmann–Schlechter, Karlsbad 1911, is a quiet treatment of the Closed Ruy Lopez. White's d-pawn stops on d3 and keeps d4 in reserve. The tempo spent can be recovered by omitting h3, particularly once Black commits the bishop to b7. Today the line arises mostly through Anti-Marshall move orders such as 6. d3. Its main line runs 9...Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. Nbd2.