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. 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, 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+).