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. 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, 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+).