Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense, White wants to play e4 to control the center and gain space on the board. By immediately contesting the central squares with his pawn, White puts pressure on Black to respond and make a decision on how to develop his own pieces. This move also allows White's bishop on c1 to be unleashed and attack Black's queenside. In sum, e4 sets the tone for White's aggressive and positional play in this opening.

When Black plays e5 in response to e4, they are also aiming to control the center of the board. By mirroring White's move, Black puts tension on the board and lays the foundation for a dynamic game. This move also connects Black's kingside pieces and opens up lines for the queen and bishop. However, playing e5 does mean that Black's f8 bishop is blocked, making it harder for them to put pressure on White's position. In sum, e5 is a solid and common response to e4 that can lead to a balanced game if played correctly.

When White plays Nf3 after 1. e4 e5, they are developing their knight to a natural square and supporting the pawn on e4. This move also prepares for the possible opening of the g1-a7 diagonal for the bishop on c1. By placing the knight in the center of the board, White can also control important squares and respond flexibly to Black's moves. However, playing Nf3 means that White cannot play d4 immediately, which limits their options for central pawn breaks. In sum, Nf3 is a standard and solid move in the opening that sets the stage for White's further development.

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense, when Black plays Nc6 after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3, they are developing their own knight and attacking White's pawn on e4. This move also prepares the d7 square for the dark-squared bishop to develop. By placing a piece in the center of the board, Black aims to control important squares and give themselves more options in the following moves. Moreover, Nc6 can discourage White from playing d4 and opening up the center too quickly. Nonetheless, Nc6 does mean that Black's pawn on d7 is temporarily blocked, which can make the development of their queen's bishop more difficult.

When White plays Bb5 after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6, they are developing their bishop to an active square and putting pressure on Black's knight on c6. This move also pins the knight, meaning that it cannot easily move without losing material. Bb5 is a common idea in many variations of the open game and can help White to control the center of the board. By exchanging the bishop for Black's knight, White can also gain control of the d5 square and potentially set up a strong pawn chain. However, playing Bb5 does mean that White has made two moves with the same piece in the opening and has slightly delayed the development of other pieces.

When Black plays a6 after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5, they aim to drive the bishop back and avoid any future pin on the knight with the possibility of trading that bishop subsequently. This move can also prepare for b5 to chase the bishop back again, forcing it to retreat to a less active square, and provides a safe square for Black's king's bishop on a7 later in the game. However, a6 means that Black wastes time on the queenside that could be used for quick development. Also, it creates a weakness on b6 where a White queen or knight could sacrifice a piece and capture the pawn in a future attack.

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense, when White plays Ba4 after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6, they are relocating their bishop to a4. This move can help White to put pressure on Black's position while setting up the possibility of a future pin. By attacking Black's pawn on b5, White can also potentially gain control over the c6 square. Moreover, Ba4 can discourage Black from playing b5 again, limiting their chances to chase the bishop back and undermine White's pawn structure. However, playing Ba4 does take the bishop out of the game temporarily and makes it vulnerable to attacks from Black's queen or knight.

When Black plays Nf6 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4, they are developing their knight and hitting White's bishop on a4, forcing it to decide between retreat or capture. Nf6 prepares for the potential opening of the center with the pawn moves d7-d6 followed by exd6 if White takes on d6. This move also puts pressure on White's pawn on e4, potentially forcing it to move and break White's dominance on the center. However, Nf6 means the knight is no longer protecting the e5 pawn, which can be targeted by White's pieces. Additionally, Nf6 gives White the opportunity to play the attacking move Ng5, exploiting the weak kingside square f7.

When White plays O-O after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, they are castling kingside to bring their king to safety while opening up the rook to potentially attack Black's position. O-O also prepares for a major piece mobilization to support White's central pawn, e4. Moreover, castling kingside can help White to put their focus onto Queenside if Black attempts to launch an attack on the kingside. However, castling kingside can also expose White's king to possible attacks via open files and weakened pawn structure. In addition, O-O may allow Black to play d6-d5 and initiate the battle for the center of the board.

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense, when Black plays Be7 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O, they are developing their bishop to an active square while preparing to castle kingside themselves. Be7 also adds support to Black's central pawn, d6, and potentially frees up the d8 square for the Queen's Knight to move. This move can also prepare for the opening of the d-file after pawns are exchanged. However, playing Be7 means that Black's bishop still has limited scope, which can make it difficult to put pressure on White's position. Additionally, Be7 can allow White to play Nd5 and create a strong passed pawn by exchanging their knight on f6.

When White plays Re1 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7, they are developing their rook to an open file and preparing to control the e-file if Black moves their king's knight. The move Re1 also puts additional pressure on Black's central pawn. This move can also prepare for the potential opening of the f-file, which could lead to an attack on Black's kingside. Furthermore, Re1 can make Black think twice before capturing White's knight on f3 because capturing it would open up White's e-file. However, playing Re1 does mean that White's rook is no longer attacking Black's pawn on a4, which may allow Black to play b5 and gain space on the queenside.

When Black plays b5 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1, they are attempting to chase White's bishop back and gain space on the queenside. This move can also create new opportunities for Black's light-squared bishop, allowing it to potentially move to the b7 or a6 squares. b5 can also give Black control over the c4 square and have pieces placed there in the future. However, playing b5 can create a potential weakness on c6, which could be exploited if White gains control over the c-file. Additionally, advancing a pawn like b5 can weaken Black's pawn structure on the queenside, creating potential targets for White's pieces.

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Defense, when White plays Bb3 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5, they are looking to support the pawn on e4 and continue their piece development. Bb3 can also threaten to exchange Black's c6 knight, placing additional pressure on Black's position. This move also puts the bishop on a potentially active diagonal if Black plays d6 and opens the center of the board. Additionally, Bb3 can give White the opportunity to double their pawns on the b-file if Black decides to capture on b3. However, playing Bb3 can also put White's bishop in danger of being attacked if Black plays a move like a5, forcing White to retreat the bishop or risk losing it.

When Black plays d6 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3, they are protecting their central pawn on e5 and preparing to support it with a pawn chain via c7-c6. d6 also frees up the c8 square for the bishop, potentially leading to more active play in the future. This move can also act as a flexible response to many of White's potential moves and can allow Black to respond flexibly to threats posed by White's pieces. However, playing d6 means that Black's pawn on d7 is blocked, which can make the development of their queen's bishop more difficult. Additionally, d6 can allow White to open up the center with moves like d4, potentially leading to a more sharp and tactical game.

When White plays c3 after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6, they are supporting the pawn on d4 and preparing to potentially gain more control over the center of the board. c3 can also prepare for the potential advance of White's pawn to d4 in the future. Furthermore, c3 can form a pawn chain with d4 and e5 if Black takes on d4. This move can also potentially limit the mobility of Black's knights if they want to go to c5. However, playing c3 does mean that White is temporarily halting their piece development, making them slightly slower in their game plan. Additionally, c3 creates a potential weakness on the d3 square that Black can potentially exploit in future moves.

This move is not described yet.

This move is not described yet.

This move is not described yet.

This move is not described yet.

This move is not described yet.

This move is not described yet.