Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense

The Breyer Defense is a solid and flexible chess opening that aims to counter the Ruy Lopez by repositioning the knight to a more defensive square.

The Breyer Defense is a popular and well-respected defense against the Ruy Lopez, one of the oldest and most classical of all chess openings. It is named after Hungarian Grandmaster Gyula Breyer, who was known for his unorthodox and creative approach to chess. The main idea behind the Breyer Defense is to reposition the knight from c6 to b8, allowing the c-pawn to advance and support the center. This move may seem counterintuitive, as it appears to undevelop the knight, but it actually serves a deeper purpose.

By moving the knight back to b8, Black frees up the c-pawn to advance to c5, which can help to challenge White's pawn on d4 and create counterplay in the center. Additionally, the knight can later be redeployed to d7, where it supports the e5 pawn and can potentially be transferred to better squares. The Breyer Defense is known for its solid pawn structure and flexibility, allowing Black to adapt to various pawn structures and plans that may arise during the game.

While the Breyer Defense is not as aggressive as some other defenses against the Ruy Lopez, it has been employed by many top-level players, including former World Champions Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov. Its solid and flexible nature makes it a reliable choice for players looking to neutralize White's opening advantage and reach a playable middlegame.