Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kecskemet Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. O-O Bd7 6. c3 Nf6 7. d4 Be7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Re1 Be8
10. Bc2+0.96
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kecskemet Variation (C72), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. O-O Bd7 6. c3 Nf6 7. d4 Be7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Re1 Be8, Stockfish 18 recommends 10. Bc2 for White. White is clearly better (+0.96).
Top engine moves
- +0.9610. Bc2 Bd7 11. h3 Re8 12. Nf1 h6 13. Ng3 a5 14. a4 Bf8
- +0.9510. Nf1 Bd7 11. Bc2 Bg4 12. d5 Nb8 13. h3 Bd7 14. Ng3 a5
- +0.8510. Bb3 a5 11. h3 a4 12. Bc2 h6 13. Nf1 Bd7 14. Ng3 Re8
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kecskemet Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. O-O Bd7 6. c3 Nf6 7. d4 Be7 8. Nbd2 O-O 9. Re1 Be8, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10. Bc2 for White, continuing Bd7 11. h3 Re8 12. Nf1 h6 13. Ng3 a5 14. a4 Bf8. White is clearly better (+0.96). The next best moves are 10. Nf1 (+0.95) and 10. Bb3 (+0.85).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kecskemet Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.96: white is clearly 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, Kecskemet Variation?
C72. 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+).