Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Classical Defense Deferred
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Bc5
5. c3+0.49
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Classical Defense Deferred (C70), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Bc5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. c3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.49).
Top engine moves
- +0.495. c3 Nge7 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Bb4+ 8. Nc3 d5 9. O-O dxe4
- +0.335. O-O b5 6. Bb3 Nf6 7. c3 d6 8. d4 Bb6 9. Re1 O-O
- +0.125. d3 d6 6. c3 Ba7 7. O-O Ne7 8. Be3 O-O 9. Bxa7 Rxa7
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Classical Defense Deferred?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Bc5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. c3 for White, continuing Nge7 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Bb4+ 8. Nc3 d5 9. O-O dxe4. White is slightly better (+0.49). The next best moves are 5. O-O (+0.33) and 5. d3 (+0.12).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Classical Defense Deferred a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.49: 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: Morphy Defense, Classical Defense Deferred?
C70. 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+).