Ruy Lopez: Open, Schlechter Defense
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. Nxd4−0.13
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Open, Schlechter Defense (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, Stockfish 18 recommends 9. Nxd4 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.13).
Top engine moves
- −0.139. Nxd4 exd4 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Be6 12. f4 Be7 13. f5 Bd7
- −1.189. Nxe5 Nxb3 10. cxb3 Bb7 11. axb5 Bd6 12. Nf3 O-O 13. Nc3 axb5
- −1.189. axb5 Nxb3 10. cxb3 f6 11. Nc3 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Be7 13. Qe2 a5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Open, Schlechter Defense?
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, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9. Nxd4 for White, continuing exd4 10. Nc3 Nxc3 11. bxc3 Be6 12. f4 Be7 13. f5 Bd7. The position is roughly equal (−0.13). The next best moves are 9. Nxe5 (−1.18) and 9. axb5 (−1.18).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Open, Schlechter Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.13: 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, Schlechter Defense?
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+).