Ruy Lopez, Smyslov Defense (Closed Spanish with h6) · Complete Chess Openings

Описание: The Smyslov Defense in 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
Learn the basics of the Ruy Lopez here:    • Introduction to the Spanish Opening (Ruy L...  
For the best alternative to the Smyslov, study the Chigorin:    • Ruy Lopez, Chigorin Variation (Closed Span...  
Or the Breyer:    • Ruy Lopez, Breyer Variation (Closed Spanis...  

The Smyslov Defense 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 h6 and the move h6 is the Smyslov Defense or the Smyslov Variation.

The Smyslov Variation is a reliable system for black but it's out of fashion today. Black’s pieces occupy similar positions to the Zaitsev Variation (Bb7 and Re8 without h6) but the tempo spent on 9...h6 has far reaching consequences. White has enough time for the typical knight to f1 maneuver and Black has no opportunity for immediate counterplay. However, the Smyslov Variation has the huge practical advantage that White has no forced repetition that's very common in the Zaitsev, when white plays Ng5 and attacks f7, forcing black to repeat or get into an equal endgame.

So, in many ways, the Smyslov is a worse Zaitsev but it avoids a forced draw. Of course, one needn't choose either move, which is why top GMs today play the Chigorin or the Breyer instead.

0:00 Introduction to the Smyslov Closed Ruy Lopez
04:58 Strategy of the Smyslov Defense and the basics of the Closed Ruy Lopez and the Zaitsev variation
19:59 Theory of the Smyslov Defense
31:13 Conclusion

This is the seventh 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.