ECO C66 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 Bd7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 O-O

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

8. Bxc6+0.62

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap (C66), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 Bd7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 O-O, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Bxc6 for White. White is slightly better (+0.62).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.628. Bxc6 Bxc6 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Qxd8 Raxd8 11. Nxe5 Bxe4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4
  2. +0.558. d5 Nb4 9. Bxd7 Qxd7 10. a3 Na6 11. Qe2 c6 12. dxc6 Qxc6
  3. +0.388. a4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Re8 10. Bf4 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Nh5 12. Bd2 Bf6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 Bd7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 O-O, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Bxc6 for White, continuing Bxc6 9. dxe5 dxe5 10. Qxd8 Raxd8 11. Nxe5 Bxe4 12. Nxe4 Nxe4. White is slightly better (+0.62). The next best moves are 8. d5 (+0.55) and 8. a4 (+0.38).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.62: 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, Tarrasch Trap?
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+).