Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
400 games: White 53.8% / Draw 5.0% / Black 41.3%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 146146 | ||
| 125125 | ||
| 106106 | ||
| 1818 | ||
| 44 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.18 The position is about equal
Best play: 5... Nxf3+ 6. Qxf3 Bxb4 7. Qg3 Nf6 8. d4 c6 9. Be2 O-O 10. Bh6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation (ECO C64, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4 (5 moves).
In 400 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.8%, Black 41.3% and 5.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Nxf3+, in 37% 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: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation
5…Bb6 scores best for Black: 49.2%, with Black winning 46.4% and White 48.0% of 125 games. The most played answer, 5…Nxf3+, scores lowest: 40.1% in 146 games. Stockfish's first choice is 5…Nxf3+.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation (C64)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-classical-defense-zaitsev-variation