Ruy Lopez: Open, Harksen Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. c4
8… Bg4−1.32
Black is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Open, Harksen Gambit (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. c4, Stockfish 18 recommends 8… Bg4 for Black. Black is clearly better (−1.32).
Top engine moves
- −1.328… Bg4 9. Re1 Nxd4 10. cxd5 f5 11. Be3 Nxb3 12. Qxb3 Bd6 13. Nbd2
- −1.228… dxc4 9. Bc2 Nf6 10. a4 Nxd4 11. axb5 Bc5 12. Nxe5 O-O 13. Be3
- +0.048… bxc4 9. Ba4 Bd7 10. Bxc6 Bxc6 11. Nxe5 Bb7 12. Nc3 Nxc3 13. bxc3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Open, Harksen Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. c4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8… Bg4 for Black, continuing 9. Re1 Nxd4 10. cxd5 f5 11. Be3 Nxb3 12. Qxb3 Bd6 13. Nbd2. Black is clearly better (−1.32). The next best moves are 8… dxc4 (−1.22) and 8… bxc4 (+0.04).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Open, Harksen Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −1.32: black is clearly 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: Open, Harksen Gambit?
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+).