Ruy Lopez: Open Berlin Defense, Showalter Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4
6… exd4−0.15
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Open Berlin Defense, Showalter Variation (C67), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… exd4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.15).
Top engine moves
- −0.156… exd4 7. Nxd4 Be7 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Nd5 Bf6 10. Ne2 b5 11. Bb3
- +0.086… e4 7. Ne5 Be7 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Re1 Nf5 10. Rxe4 Nxe5 11. dxe5
- +0.636… Be7 7. dxe5 Ne4 8. Be3 Nc5 9. Bxc5 Bxc5 10. Nc3 O-O 11. Re1
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Open Berlin Defense, Showalter Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… exd4 for Black, continuing 7. Nxd4 Be7 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Nd5 Bf6 10. Ne2 b5 11. Bb3. The position is roughly equal (−0.15). The next best moves are 6… e4 (+0.08) and 6… Be7 (+0.63).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Open Berlin Defense, Showalter Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.15: 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 Berlin Defense, Showalter Variation?
C67. 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+).