Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation, Paulsen Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. O-O Ne7
6. Ba4+0.71
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation, Paulsen Variation (C61), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. O-O Ne7, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Ba4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.71).
Top engine moves
- +0.716. Ba4 c6 7. Bb3 a5 8. a4 d5 9. d3 Be6 10. f4 g6
- +0.646. Bc4 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. Qh5 c6 9. Qe5+ Be6 10. Qxd4 b5
- +0.636. d3 g6 7. Ba4 c6 8. Bb3 Bg7 9. f4 d5 10. f5 gxf5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation, Paulsen Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. O-O Ne7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Ba4 for White, continuing c6 7. Bb3 a5 8. a4 d5 9. d3 Be6 10. f4 g6. White is slightly better (+0.71). The next best moves are 6. Bc4 (+0.64) and 6. d3 (+0.63).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation, Paulsen Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.71: 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, Paulsen 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+).