ECO C63 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Möhring Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qd5

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

8. c4+1.26

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Möhring Variation (C63), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qd5, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. c4 for White. White is clearly better (+1.26).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.268. c4 Qd6 9. Nxa7+ Bd7 10. Qh5+ Kd8 11. Bxd7 Qxd7 12. Nb5 Nf6
  2. 0.008. Nxa7+ Kd8 9. c4 Qg5 10. Nxc8 Qxg2 11. Rf1 Kxc8 12. c5 Nf6
  3. −1.778. Qe2 bxc6 9. Bc4 Qf5 10. d3 Nf6 11. f3 Qe5 12. O-O Be6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Möhring Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qd5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. c4 for White, continuing Qd6 9. Nxa7+ Bd7 10. Qh5+ Kd8 11. Bxd7 Qxd7 12. Nb5 Nf6. White is clearly better (+1.26). The next best moves are 8. Nxa7+ (0.00) and 8. Qe2 (−1.77).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Möhring Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.26: 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, Möhring 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+).