ECO C65 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Ne7

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

5. Nc3+0.47

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer Variation (C65), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Ne7, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.47).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.475. Nc3 c6 6. Bc4 d6 7. d4 exd4 8. Qxd4 Ng6 9. Ng5 Ne5
  2. +0.455. Bc4 c6 6. Nc3 d6 7. d4 exd4 8. Qxd4 Ng6 9. Ng5 Ne5
  3. +0.445. d4 Nxe4 6. dxe5 c6 7. Bd3 Nc5 8. O-O d5 9. exd6 Qxd6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Ne7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nc3 for White, continuing c6 6. Bc4 d6 7. d4 exd4 8. Qxd4 Ng6 9. Ng5 Ne5. White is slightly better (+0.47). The next best moves are 5. Bc4 (+0.45) and 5. d4 (+0.44).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.47: 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: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer 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+).