Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kecskemet Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.O-O Bd7 6.c3 Nf6 7.d4 Be7 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.Re1 Be8

ECO C72

The Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kecskemet Variation is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 d6 5.O-O Bd7 6.c3 Nf6 7.d4 Be7 8.Nbd2 O-O 9.Re1 Be8.

It is catalogued under code C72 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Be8 is chosen by Black on move 9.

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.