Key Closed Spanish Line for White
Main line: 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
Annotated Closed Spanish Moves (from 1.e4 PGN)
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1.e4
White starts with 1.e4, taking space in the centre and opening lines for the queen and bishop.
1...e5
Black copies White in the centre and also opens lines for their pieces.
2.Nf3
White attacks the e5-pawn and develops a knight toward the centre, getting ready to castle.
2...Nc6
Black defends the e5-pawn with a knight and brings another piece into the game.
3.Bb5
The Ruy Lopez. White pins the knight on c6, which helps protect the e5-pawn.
3...a6
Black attacks the bishop on b5, asking it to decide where to go.
4.Ba4
White keeps the bishop on the a4–e8 diagonal, still watching the knight on c6.
4...Nf6
Black develops a knight and attacks the e4-pawn, reaching a main Ruy Lopez position.
5.O-O
White castles, putting the king safely on g1 and connecting the rooks.
5...Be7
Black plays the Closed Spanish with Be7, keeping the position solid and preparing to castle.
6.Re1
White protects the e4-pawn with the rook, keeping the c3 square free for a pawn later.
6...b5
Black kicks the bishop and gains space on the queenside.
7.Bb3
White keeps the bishop on the a2–g8 diagonal, pointing toward Black's king.
7...d6
Black supports the e5-pawn and prepares to finish development.
8.c3
White prepares d4 and also gives the bishop on b3 a retreat to c2 after ...Na5.
8...O-O
Black castles and brings the king to safety.
9.h3
White stops ...Bg4, which could pin the knight on f3 and increase pressure on the centre. Now White can calmly prepare d4.