ECO C71 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6

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

5. c3+0.50

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense (C71), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. c3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.50).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.505. c3 f5 6. exf5 Bxf5 7. O-O Bd3 8. Re1 Be7 9. Re3 e4
  2. +0.425. O-O Nf6 6. c3 Nxe4 7. d4 Bd7 8. Re1 Nf6 9. Bxc6 Bxc6
  3. +0.335. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 Nd7 8. O-O Be7 9. dxe5 dxe5

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. Nc3
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c4
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. O-O
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c3
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c3 Bd7
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. Bxc6+ bxc6 6. d4
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. Bxc6+ bxc6 6. d4 f6
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c3 Bd7 6. d4 Nge7
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6 5. c3 f5 6. exf5 Bxf5 7. O-O

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 d6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. c3 for White, continuing f5 6. exf5 Bxf5 7. O-O Bd3 8. Re1 Be7 9. Re3 e4. White is slightly better (+0.50). The next best moves are 5. O-O (+0.42) and 5. Nc3 (+0.33).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.50: 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, Modern Steinitz Defense?
C71. 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+).