ECO C60 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Alapin Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bb4

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

4. c3+0.69

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Alapin Defense (C60), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bb4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. c3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.69).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.694. c3 Ba5 5. a4 a6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nxe5 Qg5 8. Nf3 Qxg2
  2. +0.494. O-O Nge7 5. c3 Ba5 6. Qa4 Bb6 7. d4 Ng6 8. Nbd2 a6
  3. +0.274. a3 Ba5 5. Bxc6 bxc6 6. Nxe5 Qe7 7. Qh5 Nf6

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Alapin Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bb4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. c3 for White, continuing Ba5 5. a4 a6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nxe5 Qg5 8. Nf3 Qxg2. White is slightly better (+0.69). The next best moves are 4. O-O (+0.49) and 4. a3 (+0.27).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Alapin Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.69: 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: Alapin Defense?
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+).