ECO C60 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Retreat Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nb8

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4. d4+1.22

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Retreat Variation (C60), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nb8, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. d4 for White. White is clearly better (+1.22).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.224. d4 exd4 5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 dxc3 7. Nxc3 Bc5 8. Bg5 f6
  2. +1.044. Ba4 c6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qb6 7. Qe5+ Be7 8. Bb3 Nf6
  3. +1.044. O-O c6 5. Bc4 d6 6. d4 Nd7 7. c3 Qc7 8. Re1 h6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Retreat Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nb8, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. d4 for White, continuing exd4 5. O-O Nc6 6. c3 dxc3 7. Nxc3 Bc5 8. Bg5 f6. White is clearly better (+1.22). The next best moves are 4. Ba4 (+1.04) and 4. O-O (+1.04).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Retreat Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.22: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Ruy Lopez: Retreat Variation?
C60. 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+).