Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Modern Main Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6 7. Bg5
7… d6+0.42
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Modern Main Line (C64), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6 7. Bg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… d6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.42).
Top engine moves
- +0.427… d6 8. a4 a5 9. h3 Ne7 10. dxe5 Nxe4 11. Bh4 d5 12. Nbd2
- +0.487… h6 8. Bh4 d6 9. a4 a5 10. h3 g5 11. Nxg5 hxg5 12. Bxg5
- +0.517… exd4 8. cxd4 a6 9. Ba4 h6 10. Bh4 d6 11. Bxc6 bxc6 12. h3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Modern Main Line?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6 7. Bg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… d6 for Black, continuing 8. a4 a5 9. h3 Ne7 10. dxe5 Nxe4 11. Bh4 d5 12. Nbd2. White is slightly better (+0.42). The next best moves are 7… h6 (+0.48) and 7… exd4 (+0.51).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Modern Main Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.42: 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, Modern Main Line?
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+).