ECO C67 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Trifunovic Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. Qe2 d5

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

7. Nxe5+0.72

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Trifunovic Variation (C67), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. Qe2 d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Nxe5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.72).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.727. Nxe5 Bd7 8. Bxc6 Bxc6 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Re1 Qd7 11. Nd2 Nd6
  2. +0.627. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. Nxe5 Qd6 9. f3 f6 10. Nd3 Ng5 11. b3 Qe6
  3. +0.157. dxe5 Bg4 8. Nbd2 Nxd2 9. Bxd2 O-O 10. Qe3 f6 11. Bc3 Bxf3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Trifunovic Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. Qe2 d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Nxe5 for White, continuing Bd7 8. Bxc6 Bxc6 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Re1 Qd7 11. Nd2 Nd6. White is slightly better (+0.72). The next best moves are 7. Bxc6+ (+0.62) and 7. dxe5 (+0.15).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Trifunovic Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.72: 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, Trifunovic 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+).