ECO C68 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alekhine Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Bd6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

8. Be3−0.15

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, 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 Bd6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Be3 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.15).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.158. Be3 Bd7 9. Nd2 O-O-O 10. f3 Re8 11. O-O-O f5 12. Bg5 h6
  2. −0.188. Nd2 c5 9. Ne2 f5 10. Nc4 fxe4 11. Nxd6+ cxd6 12. Nc3 Bg4
  3. −0.198. f3 Bd7 9. Be3 O-O-O 10. Nd2 Re8 11. O-O-O f5 12. Bg5 h6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alekhine Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Bd6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Be3 for White, continuing Bd7 9. Nd2 O-O-O 10. f3 Re8 11. O-O-O f5 12. Bg5 h6. The position is roughly equal (−0.15). The next best moves are 8. Nd2 (−0.18) and 8. f3 (−0.19).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alekhine Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.15: 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, 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+).