ECO C66 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Closed Berlin Defense, Chigorin Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Nd7

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

6. Be3+0.80

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Closed Berlin Defense, Chigorin Variation (C66), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Nd7, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. Be3 for White. White is clearly better (+0.80).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.806. Be3 a6 7. Bc4 Nb6 8. Be2 exd4 9. Nxd4 Be7 10. a4 Nxd4
  2. +0.696. c3 a6 7. Bc4 Be7 8. Bd3 exd4 9. cxd4 Nb6 10. a4 d5
  3. +0.686. Re1 exd4 7. Bf4 Nce5 8. Nxd4 g6 9. Nd2 Bg7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Closed Berlin Defense, Chigorin Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Nd7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. Be3 for White, continuing a6 7. Bc4 Nb6 8. Be2 exd4 9. Nxd4 Be7 10. a4 Nxd4. White is clearly better (+0.80). The next best moves are 6. c3 (+0.69) and 6. Re1 (+0.68).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Closed Berlin Defense, Chigorin Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.80: 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: Closed Berlin Defense, Chigorin Variation?
C66. 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+).