Ruy Lopez: Closed, Lutikov 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. Bc2
9… d5+0.09
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Lutikov Variation (C90), 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. Bc2, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… d5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.09).
Top engine moves
- +0.099… d5 10. d4 exd4 11. e5 Ne4 12. cxd4 Nb4 13. Bb3 c5 14. a3
- +0.229… Bb7 10. d4 exd4 11. Nxd4 Re8 12. Nf5 Ne5 13. Bg5 h6 14. Bh4
- +0.239… Re8 10. d4 exd4 11. cxd4 Nb4 12. Bb3 c5 13. a3 Nc6 14. h3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Lutikov 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. Bc2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… d5 for Black, continuing 10. d4 exd4 11. e5 Ne4 12. cxd4 Nb4 13. Bb3 c5 14. a3. The position is roughly equal (+0.09). The next best moves are 9… Bb7 (+0.22) and 9… Re8 (+0.23).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Lutikov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.09: the position is roughly equal. 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, Lutikov Variation?
C90. 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+).