ECO C63 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Classical Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qg5

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

8. Qe2+0.72

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Classical Variation (C63), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Qe2 for White. White is slightly better (+0.72).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.728. Qe2 Nf6 9. Nxa7+ Bd7 10. Bxd7+ Nxd7 11. f4 Qc5 12. Nb5 O-O-O
  2. +0.308. Nd4+ c6 9. Bf1 Bg4 10. d3 Qg6 11. f3 exf3 12. gxf3 Bd7
  3. −0.528. c4 h5 9. Ne5+ c6 10. Nxc6 Bd7 11. Na5 Bxb5 12. cxb5 Qxg2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Classical Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Qe2 for White, continuing Nf6 9. Nxa7+ Bd7 10. Bxd7+ Nxd7 11. f4 Qc5 12. Nb5 O-O-O. White is slightly better (+0.72). The next best moves are 8. Nd4+ (+0.30) and 8. c4 (−0.52).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Classical Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.72: 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, Classical Variation?
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+).