Ruy Lopez: Open, Berger Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. a4 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Nc3
10… Nxc3−0.19
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Open, Berger Variation (C80), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. a4 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 10… Nxc3 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.19).
Top engine moves
- −0.1910… Nxc3 11. bxc3 Be6 12. f4 Be7 13. f5 Bd7 14. Bxd5 c6 15. Be4
- +0.1810… Nf6 11. Qxd4 c5 12. Qe5+ Be6 13. Bxd5 Nxd5 14. Rd1 Qf6 15. Qe4
- +0.3910… Bb7 11. Qxd4 Qf6 12. Qxf6 Nxf6 13. axb5 Bb4 14. bxa6 Rxa6 15. Rxa6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Open, Berger Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. a4 Nxd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10… Nxc3 for Black, continuing 11. bxc3 Be6 12. f4 Be7 13. f5 Bd7 14. Bxd5 c6 15. Be4. The position is roughly equal (−0.19). The next best moves are 10… Nf6 (+0.18) and 10… Bb7 (+0.39).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Open, Berger Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.19: 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: Open, Berger Variation?
C80. 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+).