ECO C67 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation, Westerinen Line

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Ne4

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

8. Qe2+0.55

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation, Westerinen Line (C67), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Ne4, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Qe2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.55).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.558. Qe2 Bf5 9. Rd1 Qe7 10. Na3 Qe6 11. Nd4 Qg6 12. Nxf5 Qxf5
  2. +0.178. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Re1 Nc5 10. Nc3 Ne6 11. Be3 Bb4 12. Red1+ Ke8
  3. −0.048. Nd4 Nc5 9. Nc3 Ne6 10. Nxe6 Bxe6 11. Qe2 Qd4 12. Rd1 Qg4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation, Westerinen Line?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Ne4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Qe2 for White, continuing Bf5 9. Rd1 Qe7 10. Na3 Qe6 11. Nd4 Qg6 12. Nxf5 Qxf5. White is slightly better (+0.55). The next best moves are 8. Qxd8+ (+0.17) and 8. Nd4 (−0.04).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation, Westerinen Line 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, l'Hermet Variation, Westerinen Line?
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+).