Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense, Panov System (C99)

The Closed, Chigorin Defense, Panov System is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C99. The line runs 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 Qc7 12. Nbd2 cxd4 13. cxd4, reaching the position shown below after 25 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after 13 moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; the c-file file is fully open.

On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.

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Ruy Lopez: Closed, Chigorin Defense, Panov System — position after cxd4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position 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 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qc7 12. Nbd2 cxd4 13. cxd4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2Nf3Nc6
3Bb5a6
4Ba4Nf6
5O-OBe7
6Re1b5
7Bb3d6
8c3O-O
9h3Na5
10Bc2c5
11d4Qc7
12Nbd2cxd4
13cxd4

ECO: C99

Stockfish: +0.56 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Ruy Lopez lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Closed, Chigorin Defense, Panov System?

The Closed, Chigorin Defense, Panov System goes 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 Qc7 12. Nbd2 cxd4 13. cxd4. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C99.

What is the ECO code for the Closed, Chigorin Defense, Panov System?

The Closed, Chigorin Defense, Panov System is ECO C99. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.

Is the Closed, Chigorin Defense, Panov System good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position 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 Na5 10. Bc2 c5 11. d4 Qc7 12. Nbd2 cxd4 13. cxd4 at +0.56 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Closed, Chigorin Defense, Panov System lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; the c-file file is fully open.