ECO C66 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Improved Steinitz Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6

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

5. d4+0.55

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Improved Steinitz Defense (C66), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.55).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.555. d4 Bd7 6. d5 Ne7 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 8. Re1 Ng6 9. c4 Be7
  2. +0.525. Re1 Be7 6. c3 a6 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. d4 exd4 9. e5 dxe5
  3. +0.485. Nc3 a6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 Nd7 8. Qe2 a5 9. Rd1 f6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Improved Steinitz Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. d4 for White, continuing Bd7 6. d5 Ne7 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 8. Re1 Ng6 9. c4 Be7. White is slightly better (+0.55). The next best moves are 5. Re1 (+0.52) and 5. Nc3 (+0.48).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Improved Steinitz Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.55: 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, Improved Steinitz Defense?
C66. 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+).