ECO C63 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Kostić Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7

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

6. O-O+1.03

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Kostić Defense (C63), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7, Stockfish 18 recommends 6. O-O for White. White is clearly better (+1.03).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.036. O-O d5 7. Ng3 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nf6 10. Bxc6+ bxc6
  2. +0.996. d4 d5 7. Neg5 Nh6 8. Bxc6+ bxc6 9. Nxe5 O-O 10. Ngf3 Nf7
  3. +0.696. Qe2 Nf6 7. Nxf6+ Bxf6 8. d4 O-O 9. Bxc6 dxc6 10. dxe5 Be7

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Kostić Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6. O-O for White, continuing d5 7. Ng3 Bg4 8. h3 Bxf3 9. Qxf3 Nf6 10. Bxc6+ bxc6. White is clearly better (+1.03). The next best moves are 6. d4 (+0.99) and 6. Qe2 (+0.69).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Kostić Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.03: 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: Schliemann Defense, Kostić 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+).