Ruy Lopez: Exchange, Alekhine Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7
8. Be3−0.29
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Exchange, Alekhine Variation (C68), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Be3 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.29).
Top engine moves
- −0.298. Be3 O-O-O 9. Nc3 Re8 10. O-O-O b6 11. Nde2 h5 12. h4 Nh6
- −0.308. Nc3 O-O-O 9. f3 Re8 10. Bd2 Bd6 11. Nde2 Ne7 12. Bf4 Bc5
- −0.318. f3 O-O-O 9. Nc3 Re8 10. Bd2 Bd6 11. Nde2 Ne7 12. Bf4 Bc5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Exchange, Alekhine Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Be3 for White, continuing O-O-O 9. Nc3 Re8 10. O-O-O b6 11. Nde2 h5 12. h4 Nh6. The position is roughly equal (−0.29). The next best moves are 8. Nc3 (−0.30) and 8. f3 (−0.31).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Exchange, Alekhine Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.29: 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: Exchange, Alekhine Variation?
C68. 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+).