ECO C63 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Exchange Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Bxc6

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

4… dxc6+0.26

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Exchange Variation (C63), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Bxc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… dxc6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.26).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.264… dxc6 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Qe2 Bd6 7. d4 exd4 8. e5 dxc3 9. exf6+
  2. +0.414… bxc6 5. d4 fxe4 6. Nxe5 Qh4 7. O-O Nf6 8. f3 Ba6 9. c4
  3. +2.314… fxe4 5. Bxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Qh5+ g6 8. Nxg6 hxg6 9. Qxh8

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Exchange Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Bxc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… dxc6 for Black, continuing 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Qe2 Bd6 7. d4 exd4 8. e5 dxc3 9. exf6+. The position is roughly equal (+0.26). The next best moves are 4… bxc6 (+0.41) and 4… fxe4 (+2.31).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Exchange Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.26: the position is roughly equal. 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, Exchange 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+).