Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 h5
7. a4−0.02
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit (C69), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 h5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. a4 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.02).
Top engine moves
- −0.027. a4 Qf6 8. d3 Bd6 9. Nbd2 Ne7 10. Nc4 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Qxf3
- −0.037. d3 Qf6 8. Nbd2 g5 9. Nc4 Bxf3 10. Qxf3 Qxf3 11. gxf3 f6
- −0.177. Re1 Qf6 8. d3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Qxf3 10. gxf3 Bd6 11. a4 Ne7
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Bg4 6. h3 h5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. a4 for White, continuing Qf6 8. d3 Bd6 9. Nbd2 Ne7 10. Nc4 Bxf3 11. Qxf3 Qxf3. The position is roughly equal (−0.02). The next best moves are 7. d3 (−0.03) and 7. Re1 (−0.17).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.02: 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 Variation, Alapin Gambit?
C69. 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+).