Ruy Lopez: Bulgarian Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
27,028 games: White 57.1% / Draw 4.8% / Black 38.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 12,95613K | ||
| 5,2015,201 | ||
| 2,9732,973 | ||
| 1,4041,404 | ||
| 1,1001,100 | ||
| 1,0801,080 | ||
| 1,0481,048 | ||
| 674674 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.58 White is slightly better
Best play: 4. O-O Nd4 5. Bc4 Nxf3+ 6. Qxf3 Nf6 7. d4 d6 8. dxe5 dxe5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Bulgarian Variation (ECO C60, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a5 (3 moves).
In 27,028 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 57.1%, Black 38.1% and 4.8% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. O-O, in 48% 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: Bulgarian Variation
The most played answer, 4. O-O, also scores best for White: 62.7%, with White winning 60.4% and Black 34.9% of 13K games. Of the main answers, 4. Bxc6 scores lowest: 54.7%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. O-O.
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: Bulgarian Variation (C60)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-bulgarian-variation