Ruy Lopez, Kholmov Variation (Closed Spanish with Be6) · Complete Chess Openings

Описание: The Kholmov Variation of the Closed Ruy Lopez: theory, strategy and resources.
Annotated Ruy Lopez repertoires:   / spanish-opening-150080716  
Here is what I use to study openings easily: https://chessbook.com/hanging-pawns
Books on the Spanish: https://chessreads.com/spanish-opening
For the best alternative to the Kholmov, study the Chigorin:    • Ruy Lopez, Chigorin Variation (Closed Span...  
Or the Breyer:    • Ruy Lopez, Breyer Variation (Closed Spanis...  

The Kholmov is a variation of the Closed Ruy Lopez. It begins after 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 Be6 and the move Be6 is the Kholmov Variation.

The move 9...Be6 is called the Kholmov because the great Soviet Grandmaster, Ratmir Kholmov began playing the variation in the early 1950s. It was employed as early as 1904, at the Cambridge Springs tournament by Mikhail Chigorin, and then later on by Schlecher as well.

The Kholmov is objectively a bad sideline. Compared to the Chigorin, Breyer, or Zeitsev, it gives white a clear edge. So it should be used rarely and carefully!

0:00 Introduction
02:04 Resources on the Kholmov Variation
03:59 Strategy of the Kholmov and the basics of the Closed Ruy Lopez
15:26 History of the Kholmov Variation and important games
26:36 Theory of the Kholmov Variation
36:03 Conclusion

This is the fifth of 34 videos in the Spanish series. Unlike my previous Ruy Lopez series, this one is more detailed, better structured, and it covers every variation playable by both sides.