Ruy Lopez: Closed Berlin Defense, Chigorin Variation

The Ruy Lopez opening begins with e4, which is a central pawn move. This move allows white to control the center of the board and gain an advantage in the game. By playing e4, white is preparing to develop their knights and bishop to put pressure on black's defenses. This aggressive opening can often throw black off balance and set the tone for the rest of the match.

After white's move e4, black wants to respond with e5. This move allows black to control the center of the board and put pressure on white's pieces. With e5, black also opens up lines for their bishops and queen to attack white's position. By playing e5, black is posing a challenge to white's central control and setting up for a dynamic and strategic game.

After the moves 1.e4 e5, White's knight can be developed to f3 with check. This move hits black's e5-pawn as well, forcing black to further develop their king’s knight or to push forward the pawn. Nf3 supports future pawn moves, especially the pawn to d4, and controls the center zones of the board. From f3, the knight also opens up the f1-square for the white king's bishop, which can be later developed to b5 where it exerts pressure on black's position. This move is an early step towards white's strategy of gaining control of the center and establishing dominance over the board.

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed Berlin Defense, Chigorin Variation, after the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, Black's usual response is to develop their own knight with Nc6. This move not only challenges White's knight but supports the important d5-pawn push. Nc6 also helps in controlling the center, since the knight is pointing towards the center of the board. Black's development of the knight is one of the main ideas for building an effective defense in this variation. By playing Nc6, Black is taking an active approach against White's early threats to control the center and looking forward to equalizing the game.

After the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6, White's next move is typically to play Bishop to b5. This move is known as the Ruy Lopez and is a well-known opening variation. By placing the Bishop on b5, White is creating a pin on Black's Knight on c6, and putting pressure on Black's pawn in e5. The aim of the move is to control in the center and to begin development of White's pieces, preparing for a future kingside attack. Bb5 is a very strong move since it forces Black to react, and typically leads to dynamic positions with tactical elements for both sides.

After the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, Black often responds with Nf6. This move attacks White's bishop, and seeks to exchange it for Black's knight which is usually a good trade. Nf6 also helps to develop Black's pieces by placing pressure on White's pawn structure and blocking the f2-square for white's king's knight. Moreover, Nf6 also provides an additional defender for the e5-pawn. With this move, Black is preparing to take control of the center while at the same time posing some immediate tactical threats to White’s position.

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed Berlin Defense, Chigorin Variation, after the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6, White's next move is usually castling kingside (O-O). This move brings the king to safety and allows for better control over the center of the board. Castling creates a barrier of pawns around the white king, which makes it harder for Black's pieces to attack it, while at the same time prepares for the development of the rook. Moreover, castling also enables White to connect their rooks, improving the coordination between the pieces. By playing O-O, White is solidifying the position and looking forward to mounting an attack on the Black position.

After the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O, Black often plays d6. This move helps to solidify the pawn structure to better defend against potential White's attacks. d6 also prepares for the development of Black's light-squared bishop which can be later placed on e6 to target the weakened f2-pawn. Additionally, the pawn move prevents any threats of White's knight jumps to d5. In sum, d6 is a solid and flexible move that complements Black's strategy of defending the center while maintaining the possibility for counterplay as well.

After the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O d6, White's next move is often d4. This move is strategically important - it fights for control over the central squares and frees up the bishop on b5. d4 also allows for better development of White's pieces and increases the pressure on Black's position. By pushing the d-pawn, White is opening up more lines for their pieces and preventing Black's pawn from using the d5-square. In sum, d4 is aimed at gaining space in the center, solidifying the advantage, and exerting more control over the board.

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed Berlin Defense, Chigorin Variation, after the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O d6 5.d4, Black can respond with Nd7. This move protects the e5-pawn and prepares for the exchange of pawns with White's d-pawn. The move also prepares the knight to be repositioned to f6 later, reinforcing control of the central squares. The Nd7 move also allows the light-squared bishop to be well developed on either e6 or f5, depending on the game position. This move can be seen as a flexible move that allows for Black to exert more control over the center of the board while also solidifying the pawn structure and developing the pieces.