Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4
4. Nxd4+0.47
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation (C61), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nxd4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.47).
Top engine moves
- +0.474. Nxd4 exd4 5. O-O c6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. Re1 d6 8. c3 Be7
- +0.304. Be2 d5 5. exd5 Qxd5 6. Nc3 Qd6 7. O-O Be6 8. Nxd4 Qxd4
- +0.224. Ba4 Nxf3+ 5. Qxf3 c6 6. Bb3 Nf6 7. d3 a5 8. a4 Bb4+
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nxd4 for White, continuing exd4 5. O-O c6 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. Re1 d6 8. c3 Be7. White is slightly better (+0.47). The next best moves are 4. Be2 (+0.30) and 4. Ba4 (+0.22).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.47: 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: Bird Variation?
C61. 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+).