ECO C67 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6

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

6. dxe5+0.03

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

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation (C67), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. dxe5 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.03).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.036. dxe5 Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 d5 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Nd2 c5
  2. +0.036. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Rd1+ Ke8 10. Nc3 h6
  3. +0.026. Ba4 exd4 7. c3 Be7 8. cxd4 b5 9. Bc2 Nb4 10. Bb3 Bb7

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. dxe5 for White, continuing Nxb5 7. a4 Nbd4 8. Nxd4 d5 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Nd2 c5. The position is roughly equal (+0.03). The next best moves are 6. Bxc6 (+0.03) and 6. Ba4 (+0.02).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.03: 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, l'Hermet Variation?
C67. 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+).