Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Pillsbury Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. Qe2 Nd6 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. dxe5 Nb7 9. b3
9… O-O+0.27
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Pillsbury Variation (C67), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. Qe2 Nd6 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. dxe5 Nb7 9. b3, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… O-O for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.27).
Top engine moves
- +0.279… O-O 10. Rd1 Re8 11. Nd4 Bc5 12. Nc3 Bxd4 13. Rxd4 d5 14. Ba3
- +0.399… a5 10. Nd4 O-O 11. Nc3 Bc5 12. Be3 Qe8 13. f4 d6 14. Bf2
- +0.509… Nc5 10. Nd4 O-O 11. Rd1 Qe8 12. Nf5 Bd8 13. Ba3 d6 14. Ng3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Pillsbury Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. Qe2 Nd6 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. dxe5 Nb7 9. b3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… O-O for Black, continuing 10. Rd1 Re8 11. Nd4 Bc5 12. Nc3 Bxd4 13. Rxd4 d5 14. Ba3. The position is roughly equal (+0.27). The next best moves are 9… a5 (+0.39) and 9… Nc5 (+0.50).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Pillsbury Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.27: 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, Pillsbury 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+).