Ruy Lopez: Closed, Karpov Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nd7
10. d4+0.64
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Karpov Variation (C92), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nd7, Stockfish 18 recommends 10. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.64).
Top engine moves
- +0.6410. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 exd4 12. cxd4 Na5 13. Bc2 c5 14. d5 Bf6
- +0.5410. d3 Bb7 11. Bc2 Bf6 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. Nf1 Ne7 14. Ng3 Ng6
- +0.5410. Bc2 Bb7 11. d3 Bf6 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. a4 Ne7 14. d4 exd4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Karpov Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nd7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10. d4 for White, continuing Re8 11. Nbd2 exd4 12. cxd4 Na5 13. Bc2 c5 14. d5 Bf6. White is slightly better (+0.64). The next best moves are 10. d3 (+0.54) and 10. Bc2 (+0.54).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Karpov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.64: 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: Closed, Karpov Variation?
C92. 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+).