ECO C65 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3

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

4… Bc5+0.07

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation (C65), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bc5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.07).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.074… Bc5 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. O-O Nd4 7. Nxd4 Bxd4 8. Nf3 Bb6 9. Ba4
  2. +0.204… d6 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 g6 7. d4 b5 8. Bc2 exd4 9. Nxd4
  3. +0.424… Bd6 5. O-O O-O 6. Ba4 a6 7. c4 Rb8 8. Nc3 Nd4 9. Nxd4

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bc5 for Black, continuing 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. O-O Nd4 7. Nxd4 Bxd4 8. Nf3 Bb6 9. Ba4. The position is roughly equal (+0.07). The next best moves are 4… d6 (+0.20) and 4… Bd6 (+0.42).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.07: the position is roughly equal. 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: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation?
C65. 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+).