ECO C64 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Boden Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7

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

5. d4+0.94

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Boden Variation (C64), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. d4 for White. White is clearly better (+0.94).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.945. d4 exd4 6. O-O Ne5 7. Nxd4 c6 8. b4 Bxd4 9. cxd4 cxb5
  2. +0.805. O-O a6 6. Ba4 Nf6 7. d4 Ba7 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Nxe5 c5
  3. +0.525. Ba4 Nf6 6. O-O O-O 7. d4 Bb6 8. d5 Nb8 9. Bc2 d6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Boden Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 Qe7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. d4 for White, continuing exd4 6. O-O Ne5 7. Nxd4 c6 8. b4 Bxd4 9. cxd4 cxb5. White is clearly better (+0.94). The next best moves are 5. O-O (+0.80) and 5. Ba4 (+0.52).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Boden Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.94: 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: Classical Defense, Boden 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+).