ECO C64 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5

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

4. O-O+0.45

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation (C64), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. O-O for White. White is slightly better (+0.45).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.454. O-O Nd4 5. Nxd4 Bxd4 6. c3 Bb6 7. d4 c6 8. Ba4 d6
  2. +0.414. c3 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 Be7 7. Qe2 Nd6 8. Bxc6 bxc6
  3. +0.194. Nxe5 Qe7 5. Nf3 Qxe4+ 6. Be2 Nd4 7. Nxd4 Qxd4 8. O-O d5

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. O-O for White, continuing Nd4 5. Nxd4 Bxd4 6. c3 Bb6 7. d4 c6 8. Ba4 d6. White is slightly better (+0.45). The next best moves are 4. c3 (+0.41) and 4. Nxe5 (+0.19).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.45: 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 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+).