ECO C63 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Schönemann Attack

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d4

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

4… fxe4+0.20

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

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Schönemann Attack (C63), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… fxe4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.20).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.204… fxe4 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nxe5 Nf6 7. Nc3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Bg5
  2. +0.774… exd4 5. e5 a6 6. Ba4 Bb4+ 7. c3 dxc3 8. O-O Nge7 9. Nxc3
  3. +0.914… Nxd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. O-O Nf6 7. e5 Ne4 8. Nd2 c6 9. Bc4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Schönemann Attack?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… fxe4 for Black, continuing 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nxe5 Nf6 7. Nc3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. Bg5. The position is roughly equal (+0.20). The next best moves are 4… exd4 (+0.77) and 4… Nxd4 (+0.91).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Schönemann Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.20: 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, Schönemann Attack?
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+).