ECO C62 · Ruy Lopez

Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, Center Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O

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

5… Bd7+0.49

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, Center Gambit (C62), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Bd7 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.49).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.495… Bd7 6. Bxc6 Bxc6 7. Nxd4 Be7 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Qf3 Qd7 10. Nd2
  2. +0.525… a6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. Qxd4 Ne7 8. b3 Ng6 9. Bb2 f6 10. Qe3
  3. +0.535… Be7 6. Nxd4 Bd7 7. Nf5 Bxf5 8. exf5 Nf6 9. Nc3 a6 10. Ba4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, Center Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 exd4 5. O-O, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Bd7 for Black, continuing 6. Bxc6 Bxc6 7. Nxd4 Be7 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Qf3 Qd7 10. Nd2. White is slightly better (+0.49). The next best moves are 5… a6 (+0.52) and 5… Be7 (+0.53).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, Center Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.49: 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, Center Gambit?
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+).