Ruy Lopez: Closed, Smyslov Defense
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 h6
10. d4+0.65
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Smyslov Defense (C93), 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 h6, Stockfish 18 recommends 10. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.65).
Top engine moves
- +0.6510. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. Nf1 a5 13. Bc2 Bd7 14. Bd2 a4
- +0.3810. a3 Re8 11. d4 a5 12. a4 b4 13. Bc4 bxc3 14. bxc3 Bf8
- +0.3710. d3 Re8 11. d4 Bf8 12. Nbd2 a5 13. a4 b4 14. Bc4 Ba6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Smyslov Defense?
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 h6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10. d4 for White, continuing Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. Nf1 a5 13. Bc2 Bd7 14. Bd2 a4. White is slightly better (+0.65). The next best moves are 10. a3 (+0.38) and 10. d3 (+0.37).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Closed, Smyslov Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.65: 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, Smyslov Defense?
C93. 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+).