ECO C62 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6

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

4. d4+0.60

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense (C62), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.60).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.604. d4 exd4 5. O-O Bd7 6. Bxc6 Bxc6 7. Nxd4 Be7 8. Nc3 Bd7
  2. +0.574. Nc3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 Bd7 7. O-O Be7 8. Nf5 Bxf5
  3. +0.564. O-O Be7 5. c3 a6 6. Ba4 Nf6 7. d4 O-O 8. Re1 b5

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. d4 for White, continuing exd4 5. O-O Bd7 6. Bxc6 Bxc6 7. Nxd4 Be7 8. Nc3 Bd7. White is slightly better (+0.60). The next best moves are 4. Nc3 (+0.57) and 4. O-O (+0.56).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.60: white is slightly 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: Steinitz Defense?
C62. 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+).