Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Na5
6. O-O+0.47
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation (C70), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Na5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. O-O for White. White is slightly better (+0.47).
Top engine moves
- +0.476. O-O d6 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4 Bb7 9. Bd2 Nxb3 10. Nxb3 Nf6
- +0.436. Nc3 Nxb3 7. axb3 Bb7 8. d4 exd4 9. Nxd4 Bc5 10. Nf5 g6
- +0.396. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 Bb7 8. O-O c5 9. Nf5 c4 10. Nc3 cxb3
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 b5 5. Bb3 Na5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. O-O for White, continuing d6 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4 Bb7 9. Bd2 Nxb3 10. Nxb3 Nf6. White is slightly better (+0.47). The next best moves are 6. Nc3 (+0.43) and 6. d4 (+0.39).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation 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: Morphy Defense, Norwegian Variation?
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+).