Ruy Lopez: Open, Bernstein Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2
9… Nc5+0.29
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Open, Bernstein 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. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2, Stockfish 18 recommends 9… Nc5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.29).
Top engine moves
- +0.299… Nc5 10. c3 d4 11. Bxe6 Nxe6 12. cxd4 Ncxd4 13. Nb3 Nxb3 14. Qxb3
- +0.319… Be7 10. c3 Nc5 11. Bc2 d4 12. Nb3 d3 13. Nxc5 dxc2 14. Qxd8+
- +0.509… h6 10. c3 Nc5 11. a4 b4 12. Nd4 Nxd4 13. cxd4 Nxb3 14. Nxb3
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Open, Bernstein 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. dxe5 Be6 9. Nbd2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9… Nc5 for Black, continuing 10. c3 d4 11. Bxe6 Nxe6 12. cxd4 Ncxd4 13. Nb3 Nxb3 14. Qxb3. The position is roughly equal (+0.29). The next best moves are 9… Be7 (+0.31) and 9… h6 (+0.50).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Open, Bernstein Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.29: 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, Bernstein 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+).