Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Fishing Pole Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Ng4
5. d4+1.22
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Fishing Pole Variation (C65), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Ng4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. d4 for White. White is clearly better (+1.22).
Top engine moves
- +1.225. d4 exd4 6. h3 Nf6 7. Re1 Bc5 8. c3 O-O 9. cxd4 Bb4
- +1.125. h3 h5 6. d4 exd4 7. e5 a6 8. Ba4 b5 9. Bb3 d5
- +0.955. Nc3 a6 6. Ba4 Be7 7. Nd5 O-O 8. c3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Fishing Pole Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Ng4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. d4 for White, continuing exd4 6. h3 Nf6 7. Re1 Bc5 8. c3 O-O 9. cxd4 Bb4. White is clearly better (+1.22). The next best moves are 5. h3 (+1.12) and 5. Nc3 (+0.95).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Fishing Pole Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.22: white is clearly 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, Fishing Pole 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+).