Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kholmov 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 Be6
10. Bxe6+0.44
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kholmov 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 Be6, Stockfish 18 recommends 10. Bxe6 for White. White is slightly better (+0.44).
Top engine moves
- +0.4410. Bxe6 fxe6 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 d5 13. e5 Nh5 14. a4 b4
- +0.4210. d4 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 Re8 12. Nbd2 Bf8 13. d5 Ne7 14. a4 Qd7
- +0.2410. d3 Bxb3 11. Qxb3 h6 12. Nbd2 Re8 13. d4 Qd7 14. a4 bxa4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kholmov 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 Be6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10. Bxe6 for White, continuing fxe6 11. d4 exd4 12. cxd4 d5 13. e5 Nh5 14. a4 b4. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 10. d4 (+0.42) and 10. d3 (+0.24).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Kholmov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: 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, Kholmov 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+).