Closed, Yates Variation, Short Attack

The Short Attack is 10. a4, White's reply to the Bogoljubow pin 9...Bg4 in the Yates Variation of the Ruy Lopez, or Spanish Game. White neither breaks the pin nor resolves the central tension between d4 and e5. Instead White turns to the queenside, hitting the b5 pawn and preparing to open the a-file for the rook on a1. Black has to hold the queenside while the bishop on g4 keeps up pressure on f3 and, through it, on d4.