C96 Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Variation

ECO code C96 covers the Chigorin Variation of the Closed Ruy Lopez, reached by 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 c5 11. d4. White's 9.h3 stops ...Bg4 from pinning the f3 knight and prepares d4. Black answers with 9...Na5, attacking the b3 bishop. The bishop retreats to c2, where it stays aimed at the kingside. Then 10...c5 gains space on the queenside and adds pressure on d4. With 11.d4 White claims the centre. Black must then choose how to meet the tension between the pawns on d4, e5 and c5. Black's options include exchanging on d4, keeping the pawns locked, or regrouping the a5 knight towards c6.