C95 Ruy Lopez: Closed, Breyer Variation

ECO code C95 covers the Breyer Variation of the Closed Ruy Lopez, reached after 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 Nb8. Black retreats the knight to its starting square to reroute it via d7, freeing the c-pawn for ...c5 or ...c6 and clearing the long diagonal for the bishop, usually developed with ...Bb7. White typically continues d4 and Nbd2, then brings that knight round through f1 to g3 or e3. The structure stays closed and solid, with Black aiming to hold the e5 point and later challenge in the centre or on the queenside.