Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, Nimzowitsch Attack
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 Bd7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bxc6
6… Bxc6+0.67
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, Nimzowitsch Attack (C62), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 Bd7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bxc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… Bxc6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.67).
Top engine moves
- +0.676… Bxc6 7. Qd3 exd4 8. Nxd4 g6 9. Bg5 Bg7 10. O-O-O h6 11. Bh4
- +1.376… bxc6 7. dxe5 dxe5 8. Nxe5 Bd6 9. Nd3 O-O 10. f3 Re8 11. O-O
- +4.706… exd4 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 8. Qxd4 Be7 9. O-O c6 10. Qd1 O-O 11. Re1
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, Nimzowitsch Attack?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 Bd7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. Bxc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… Bxc6 for Black, continuing 7. Qd3 exd4 8. Nxd4 g6 9. Bg5 Bg7 10. O-O-O h6 11. Bh4. White is slightly better (+0.67). The next best moves are 6… bxc6 (+1.37) and 6… exd4 (+4.70).
Is the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, Nimzowitsch Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.67: 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, Nimzowitsch Attack?
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+).