ECO C60 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6

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

4. O-O+0.47

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto Defense (C60), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. O-O for White. White is slightly better (+0.47).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.474. O-O Bg7 5. c3 a6 6. Bc4 b5 7. Bb3 Nge7 8. d4 exd4
  2. +0.454. c3 Bg7 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 a6 7. Ba4 b5 8. Bb3 Na5
  3. +0.434. d4 exd4 5. c3 Bg7 6. cxd4 a6 7. Ba4 b5 8. Bb3 Nge7

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. O-O for White, continuing Bg7 5. c3 a6 6. Bc4 b5 7. Bb3 Nge7 8. d4 exd4. White is slightly better (+0.47). The next best moves are 4. c3 (+0.45) and 4. d4 (+0.43).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.47: 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: Fianchetto Defense?
C60. 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+).