This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense
The Breyer Defense arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8. The key characteristic of this defense is Black's retreat of the knight from c6 to b8, preparing to reroute it to d7. This maneuver is aimed at reinforcing the central and queenside control while maintaining flexibility in Black’s pawn structure and piece coordination.
Characteristic of the move 9...Nb8: It is a strategic repositioning that supports Black's long-term plan of challenging White’s center and improving the knight's placement without committing to immediate exchanges or weaknesses.
Playing style: For White, this opening leads to a slow build-up and positional maneuvering rather than immediate attacks. White typically aims to control the center and prepare for a potential breakthrough. For Black, the Breyer Defense is primarily defensive and solid, focusing on resilience and counterattacking chances later in the game.
Center control: Yes, both sides contest the center, but Black adopts a more indirect approach with the Breyer Defense. White occupies the center with pawns and pieces, while Black prepares to challenge it patiently with pieces repositioned for optimal support.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 2 - Move #30 white
You can also discover how top players used Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.