Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Zukertort 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. c4
9… O-O+0.38
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Zukertort 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. c4, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… O-O for Black. White is slightly better (+0.38).
Top engine moves
- +0.389… O-O 10. Nc3 f6 11. Re1 Nc5 12. exf6 Bxf6 13. Be3 Ne6 14. c5
- +0.399… a5 10. Nc3 O-O 11. b3 Nc5 12. Be3 f6 13. Rad1 fxe5 14. Nxe5
- +0.429… Nc5 10. Nc3 Ne6 11. Be3 O-O 12. Rad1 f6 13. exf6 Bxf6 14. Ne4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Zukertort 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. c4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… O-O for Black, continuing 10. Nc3 f6 11. Re1 Nc5 12. exf6 Bxf6 13. Be3 Ne6 14. c5. White is slightly better (+0.38). The next best moves are 9… a5 (+0.39) and 9… Nc5 (+0.42).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Zukertort Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.38: 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, Zukertort 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+).