ECO C63 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Dyckhoff Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3

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

4… fxe4+0.50

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Dyckhoff Variation (C63), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… fxe4 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.50).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.504… fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ Qxf6 7. Qe2 Be7 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Nxe5
  2. +0.874… Bb4 5. exf5 Nge7 6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 O-O 8. g4 d5 9. O-O
  3. +0.984… Nf6 5. exf5 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 Bc5 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. d3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Dyckhoff Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… fxe4 for Black, continuing 5. Nxe4 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ Qxf6 7. Qe2 Be7 8. Bxc6 dxc6 9. Nxe5. White is slightly better (+0.50). The next best moves are 4… Bb4 (+0.87) and 4… Nf6 (+0.98).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Dyckhoff Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.50: 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, Dyckhoff 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+).