Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Closed Wolf Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
68,118 games: White 54.2% / Draw 6.3% / Black 39.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 62,30862K | ||
| 5,1695,169 | ||
| 511511 | ||
| 4646 | ||
| 4141 | ||
| 1616 | ||
| 77 | ||
| 66 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.65 White is slightly better
Best play: 7. Nxd4 Be7 8. Nxc6 Bxc6 9. Bxc6+ bxc6 10. f4 O-O 11. Qf3 Qc8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Closed Wolf Variation (ECO C66, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Improved Steinitz Defense, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Bd7 6. Nc3 exd4 (6 moves).
In 68,118 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.2%, Black 39.4% and 6.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. Nxd4, in 91% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Closed Wolf Variation
The most played answer, 7. Nxd4, also scores best for White: 57.9%, with White winning 54.7% and Black 38.9% of 62K games. Of the main answers, 7. Bxc6 scores lowest: 52.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7. Nxd4.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Closed Wolf Variation (C66)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-berlin-defense-closed-wolf-variation