ECO C63 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5

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

4. d3+0.62

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense (C63), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. d3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.62).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.624. d3 fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. O-O Bc5 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. Nxe5 O-O
  2. +0.564. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nf6 6. Qe2 d5 7. Ng3 Bd6 8. Nxe5 O-O
  3. +0.244. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nc3 fxe4 6. Nxe4 Nf6 7. Qe2 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. d3 for White, continuing fxe4 5. dxe4 Nf6 6. O-O Bc5 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. Nxe5 O-O. White is slightly better (+0.62). The next best moves are 4. Nc3 (+0.56) and 4. Bxc6 (+0.24).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.62: white is slightly 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: Schliemann Defense?
C63. 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+).