Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Romanovsky Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nc3 f6 6. d3
6… Bc5−0.26
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Romanovsky Variation (C68), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nc3 f6 6. d3, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… Bc5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.26).
Top engine moves
- −0.266… Bc5 7. a3 Be6 8. Qe2 Ba7 9. Be3 c5 10. h4 Ne7
- −0.236… c5 7. Be3 Bd6 8. Nd2 Ne7 9. Qh5+ Ng6 10. a4 O-O 11. Nc4
- −0.136… Bg4 7. Be3 Qd6 8. h3 Bh5 9. g4 Bf7 10. d4 O-O-O 11. dxe5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Romanovsky Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nc3 f6 6. d3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… Bc5 for Black, continuing 7. a3 Be6 8. Qe2 Ba7 9. Be3 c5 10. h4 Ne7. The position is roughly equal (−0.26). The next best moves are 6… c5 (−0.23) and 6… Bg4 (−0.13).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Romanovsky Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.26: 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, Romanovsky 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+).