ECO C60 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d5

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

4. Nxe5+1.29

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit (C60), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Nxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.29).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.294. Nxe5 Ne7 5. Nc3 dxe4 6. O-O Qd4 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Ba4 Bf5
  2. +1.184. exd5 Qxd5 5. Nc3 Qd6 6. O-O Ne7 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4 Bd7
  3. +1.084. Qe2 a6 5. Bxc6+ bxc6 6. Nxe5 Qg5 7. f4 Qh4+ 8. g3 Qh3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Nxe5 for White, continuing Ne7 5. Nc3 dxe4 6. O-O Qd4 7. Nxc6 bxc6 8. Ba4 Bf5. White is clearly better (+1.29). The next best moves are 4. exd5 (+1.18) and 4. Qe2 (+1.08).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.29: 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: Spanish Countergambit?
C60. 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+).