Ruy Lopez: Closed, Leonhardt Variation
In the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Leonhardt Variation, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.
The Ruy Lopez: Closed, Leonhardt Variation is a chess opening classified under ECO code C88. It is reached 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 Na5 9. Bc2 c5 10. d4 Qc7 11. h3 Nc6 12. d5 Nb8 13. Nbd2 g5: 26 moves in, with White to play.
It belongs to the Ruy Lopez family — one of many ways the line can branch. Understanding the parent system’s plans is the fastest way to play this variation well.
Club players rarely lose the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Leonhardt Variation in the opening itself. They lose it a few moves later, when the plan behind the moves runs out: that is what reading your own games in this line shows you.