Ruy Lopez: Open, Zukertort 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 Ne7
9. a4+0.85
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Open, Zukertort 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 Ne7, Stockfish 18 recommends 9. a4 for White. White is clearly better (+0.85).
Top engine moves
- +0.859. a4 Be6 10. Nd4 Nc5 11. c3 Nxb3 12. Qxb3 c6 13. Be3 g6
- +0.859. Nbd2 Nc5 10. c3 g6 11. Bc2 Ne6 12. Re1 Bg7 13. a4 b4
- +0.809. c3 Nc5 10. Nbd2 g6 11. Bc2 Ne6 12. a4 Rb8 13. Nb3 Bg7
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Open, Zukertort 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 Ne7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9. a4 for White, continuing Be6 10. Nd4 Nc5 11. c3 Nxb3 12. Qxb3 c6 13. Be3 g6. White is clearly better (+0.85). The next best moves are 9. Nbd2 (+0.85) and 9. c3 (+0.80).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Open, Zukertort Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.85: white 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, Zukertort 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+).