Closed, Yates Variation
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.Bb5a6
- 4.Ba4Nf6
- 5.O-OBe7
- 6.Re1b5
- 7.Bb3d6
- 8.c3O-O
- 9.d4
1,784 games
Closed Ruy Lopez line in which White plays 9. d4 without first preparing it with h3, allowing the pin ...Bg4; a balanced, theoretical position.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Yates Variation
The Yates Variation is the immediate 9. d4, which skips the preparatory 9. h3 of the classical main line. White frees the queenside pieces and contests the center at once, but allows the pin 9...Bg4, the Bogoljubow Variation. Black chooses it in about half of games, and it is traditionally thought to leave Black comfortable. Against it, 10. a4 is the Short Attack. The position also arises from the Anti-Marshall order 7...O-O 8. d4 d6 9. c3. Engines consider it balanced.