Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Benelux Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6
7. Bg5+0.50
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Benelux Variation (C64), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Bg5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.50).
Top engine moves
- +0.507. Bg5 h6 8. Bh4 exd4 9. cxd4 d6 10. a4 a5 11. Nc3 Bg4
- +0.437. Re1 d6 8. a4 a5 9. Na3 exd4 10. Nc4 Bc5 11. Bxc6 bxc6
- +0.427. a4 a6 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. a5 Ba7 10. Nxe5 Nxe4 11. Re1 Nd6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Benelux Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Bg5 for White, continuing h6 8. Bh4 exd4 9. cxd4 d6 10. a4 a5 11. Nc3 Bg4. White is slightly better (+0.50). The next best moves are 7. Re1 (+0.43) and 7. a4 (+0.42).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Benelux Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.50: 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: Classical Defense, Benelux Variation?
C64. 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+).