Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense

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

ECO C94

The Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 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.

It is catalogued under code C94 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nb8 is chosen by Black on move 9.

2 named continuations branch from this position, including the Quiet Variation and the Zaitsev Hybrid.

Named variations

• Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense, Quiet Variation — ECO C94
• Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense, Zaitsev Hybrid — ECO C95

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Beat the Ruy Lopez course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.