ECO C60 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3… a6+0.37

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez (C60), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… a6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.37).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.373… a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5
  2. +0.403… Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 a6 6. Ba4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5
  3. +0.493… Nge7 4. Nc3 Ng6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 c6 8. Bc4

All Ruy Lopez variations (199)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… a6 for Black, continuing 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5. White is slightly better (+0.37). The next best moves are 3… Nf6 (+0.40) and 3… Nge7 (+0.49).
Is the Ruy Lopez a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.37: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Ruy Lopez?
C60. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).