Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4
5… Bxb4+0.27
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation (C64), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Bxb4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.27).
Top engine moves
- +0.275… Bxb4 6. Nxd4 exd4 7. c3 Ba5 8. cxd4 Ne7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Ba3
- +0.315… Nxf3+ 6. Qxf3 Bxb4 7. Qg3 Nf6 8. d4 O-O 9. Bh6 Ne8 10. dxe5
- +0.325… Bb6 6. Nxd4 exd4 7. Re1 Ne7 8. a4 c6 9. Bf1 a5 10. bxa5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Bxb4 for Black, continuing 6. Nxd4 exd4 7. c3 Ba5 8. cxd4 Ne7 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Ba3. The position is roughly equal (+0.27). The next best moves are 5… Nxf3+ (+0.31) and 5… Bb6 (+0.32).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.27: the position is roughly equal. 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, Zaitsev 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+).