Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense Deferred, Boleslavsky Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 Nxe4 8. Re1 f5 9. dxe5 d5 10. Nc3
10… Bc5+0.12
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense Deferred, Boleslavsky Variation (C79), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 Nxe4 8. Re1 f5 9. dxe5 d5 10. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 10… Bc5 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.12).
Top engine moves
- +0.1210… Bc5 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Rxe3 O-O 13. Nd4 Qe8 14. Re2 a5 15. e6
- +0.6710… a5 11. Ne2 Bc5 12. Nfd4 O-O 13. f3 Ng5 14. Nf4 Ne6 15. Nxe6
- +0.7210… Bb4 11. Nd4 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Bxc3 13. Qh5+ g6 14. Qh6 Qe7 15. Bg5
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense Deferred, Boleslavsky Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O d6 6. Bxc6+ bxc6 7. d4 Nxe4 8. Re1 f5 9. dxe5 d5 10. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10… Bc5 for Black, continuing 11. Be3 Bxe3 12. Rxe3 O-O 13. Nd4 Qe8 14. Re2 a5 15. e6. The position is roughly equal (+0.12). The next best moves are 10… a5 (+0.67) and 10… Bb4 (+0.72).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense Deferred, Boleslavsky Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.12: 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: Steinitz Defense Deferred, Boleslavsky Variation?
C79. 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+).