Chess Codex
Tree path 12 levels King's Pawn Game › King's Knight Opening › Normal Variation › Ruy Lopez › Morphy Defense › Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense › Ruy Lopez: Closed › Ruy Lopez: Closed › Ruy Lopez: Closed › Ruy Lopez: Closed › Chigorin Defense › Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense
  1. Chess Codex
  2. King's Pawn Game C20
  3. King's Knight Opening C40
  4. Normal Variation C44
  5. Ruy Lopez C60
  6. Morphy Defense C70
  7. Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense C78
  8. Ruy Lopez: Closed C84
  9. Ruy Lopez: Closed C88
  10. Ruy Lopez: Closed C90
  11. Ruy Lopez: Closed C92
  12. Chigorin Defense C97
  13. Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense C96 you are here
C96

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense

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Overview

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense is a specific line in the Open Games family (ECO C96), arising from a recognised theoretical position.

The Open Games group covers open games — classical 1.e4 e5 openings where both sides contest the centre directly with pawns.

The line arises from 19 plies — specifically the moves 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 Na5 10. Bc2.

The line refines Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense, which traces back to the root opening King's Pawn Game.

The line splits into 3 documented sub-systems: Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense, Gajewski Gambit, Ruy Lopez: Closed, Rossolimo Defense.

Together the deeper variations number 10 across the full subtree.

Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.

ECO code
C96
Group
Open Games (C)
Plies
19
Parent
Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense
Direct variations
3
Total in subtree
10

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

370,399 games · White 49.7% / Draw 5.9% / Black 44.4%

MovesGamesW / D / B
c5349,844
Bb78,437
d53,258
Nc42,981
c61,568
Be61,267
h61,090
Re8609

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:23:45

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Variations (3)

Show all 10 sub-variations (full subtree)

https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-closed-chigorin-defense-2