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Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game) - Breyer Variation (C95) - Opening theory, plans, ideas, thematic maneuvers and opening traps.
Learn the Ideas, Principles and Common Variations in the Ruy Lopez in this introduction video:
• Ruy Lopez - Ideas, Pri...
The Breyer Variation branches out of the Closed Ruy Lopez (Spanish Game), and it’s one of the most popular continuations on top level. It has been played ever since the 1950-es, as one of the main weapons for black to fight the onslaught by white in the “Spanish torture”.
The Breyer Ruy Lopez was named after the Hungarian chess genius Gyula Breyer (1893-1921), a contemporary of legends such as Tartakower, Tarrasch, Réti and Maróczy, with which he helped form the basis of modern chess theory. He died at a young age, but he still managed to contribute a great deal. He was the Hungarian chess champion and a strong contender at all international tournaments at the time.
The Breyer Variation occurs after the moves:
1.e4 e5
2.Nf3 Nc6
3.Bb5 a6
4.Ba4 Nf6
5.O-O Be7 - now entering the Closed Ruy Lopez
6.Re1 b5
7.Bb3 O-O
8.c3 d6
9.h3 Nb8 - is the retreat which signifies the Breyer, other common variations from move 9 for black are the Chigorin (9…Na5), the Karpov (9…Nd7), the Smyslov (9…h6), and several others, but the Breyer is considered to be the most solid approach for black.
Black plans to re maneuver the knight from b8 to d7, where it will be much more useful than on c6. Therefore the maneuver Nc6-Nb8-Nd7 isn’t a waste of time. This move also enables black to develop his light squared bishop to b7, on the long diagonal, and, what’s most important, to play the central pawn break c5. This central break is the main benefit of moving the knight from c6.
Black will now aim to form a strong central structure and an outpost on c5 for his knight. White is, on the other hand, going for a thematic knight maneuver from Nb1-Nd2-Nf1-Ng3, and perhaps even to Nf5 if he gets the chance, which is the “Ruy Lopez knight maneuver”. It’s the typical plan for white in many Spanish positions.
After the opening, and both sides completing their middle game ideas, white is practically slightly better because he has a better attacking potential, but the position is almost equal, and by no means inferior for black.
The Breyer became popular in the 60-es, when Boris Spassky used it to defeat Tal in their world championship match, and after that it has become a favorite weapon of many strong grandmasters.
Two players whose games you have to study if you want to master the Breyer Ruy Lopez are Boris Spassky (54 games in C95) and Svetozar Gligoric (42 games). In modern times the opening was greatly employed by Gata Kamsky, Carlsen and many others.