ECO C64 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Konikowski Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 d5

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

5. Nxe5+1.54

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Konikowski Gambit (C64), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Nxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.54).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.545. Nxe5 Qg5 6. O-O Qxe5 7. d4 Qe6 8. dxc5 dxe4 9. Bf4 Nf6
  2. +0.675. Qe2 dxe4 6. Qxe4 Ne7 7. Qxe5 Bd6 8. Qe2 O-O 9. O-O a6
  3. +0.545. O-O Ne7 6. Nxe5 O-O 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. d4 Bd6 9. Nd2 Bxe5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Konikowski Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Nxe5 for White, continuing Qg5 6. O-O Qxe5 7. d4 Qe6 8. dxc5 dxe4 9. Bf4 Nf6. White is clearly better (+1.54). The next best moves are 5. Qe2 (+0.67) and 5. O-O (+0.54).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Konikowski Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.54: 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 Variation, Konikowski Gambit?
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+).