ECO C78 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Brix Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O g6

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

6. d4+1.04

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Brix Variation (C78), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O g6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. d4 for White. White is clearly better (+1.04).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.046. d4 Nxd4 7. Nxd4 exd4 8. Re1 c6 9. e5 Nd5 10. Nd2 Bg7
  2. +1.006. Bxc6 bxc6 7. Nxe5 Bg7 8. d4 O-O 9. Nc3 c5 10. dxc5 Re8
  3. +0.736. Re1 d6 7. Bxc6+ bxc6 8. d4 Nd7 9. dxe5 Nxe5 10. Nxe5 dxe5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Brix Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O g6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. d4 for White, continuing Nxd4 7. Nxd4 exd4 8. Re1 c6 9. e5 Nd5 10. Nd2 Bg7. White is clearly better (+1.04). The next best moves are 6. Bxc6 (+1.00) and 6. Re1 (+0.73).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Brix Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.04: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Ruy Lopez: Brix Variation?
C78. 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+).