Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Mackenzie Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4
5… exd4+0.03
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Mackenzie Variation (C77), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… exd4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.03).
Top engine moves
- +0.035… exd4 6. O-O Be7 7. e5 Ne4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Nc5 10. Nc3
- +0.325… Nxd4 6. Nxd4 exd4 7. e5 Ne4 8. Qxd4 Nc5 9. Nc3 Be7 10. Be3
- +0.365… Nxe4 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3 Be7 10. Nbd2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Mackenzie Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. d4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… exd4 for Black, continuing 6. O-O Be7 7. e5 Ne4 8. Nxd4 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Nc5 10. Nc3. The position is roughly equal (+0.03). The next best moves are 5… Nxd4 (+0.32) and 5… Nxe4 (+0.36).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Mackenzie Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.03: 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, Mackenzie 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+).