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Ruy Lopez

Closed, Smyslov Defense

C93positionalsolid

  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.h3h6
564 games55%40%

Ruy Lopez Closed line in which Black spends a tempo on 9...h6 to prepare ...Re8 and ...Bf8, a slower relative of the Zaitsev Variation.

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About the Smyslov Defense

The Smyslov Variation, 9...h6, rules out Ng5 so that Black can follow with ...Re8 and ...Bf8, usually adding ...Bb7. The spent tempo lets White finish the Nbd2–f1–g3 maneuver, and the h6-pawn can weaken the kingside. The Zaitsev is generally regarded as an improved version that omits ...h6. White almost always answers 10. d4 and keeps a slight edge. Svetozar Gligorić played the line often, and Kasparov lost with it to Deep Blue in 1997.

Popular continuations