Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Bayreuth Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Bxc6
5… dxc6−0.16
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Bayreuth Variation (C77), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Bxc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… dxc6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.16).
Top engine moves
- −0.165… dxc6 6. d3 Bd6 7. h3 h6 8. Nbd2 Be6 9. b3 Nd7 10. Nc4
- +0.295… bxc6 6. d4 d6 7. O-O exd4 8. Nxd4 c5 9. Nc6 Qd7 10. Na5
- +2.645… Bc5 6. Ba4 Nxe4 7. d4 exd4 8. O-O O-O 9. c3 d5 10. cxd4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Bayreuth Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Bxc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… dxc6 for Black, continuing 6. d3 Bd6 7. h3 h6 8. Nbd2 Be6 9. b3 Nd7 10. Nc4. The position is roughly equal (−0.16). The next best moves are 5… bxc6 (+0.29) and 5… Bc5 (+2.64).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Bayreuth Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.16: 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: Morphy Defense, Bayreuth Variation?
C77. 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+).