Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Charousek Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
40,149 games: White 49.8% / Draw 4.0% / Black 46.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 21,32621K | ||
| 12,33612K | ||
| 2,6872,687 | ||
| 2,1182,118 | ||
| 564564 | ||
| 392392 | ||
| 236236 | ||
| 166166 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 13, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.87 White is better
Best play: 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Nce7 7. O-O c6 8. d5 cxb5 9. d6 Nc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Charousek Variation (ECO C64, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Central Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 Bb6 (4 moves).
In 40,149 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.8%, Black 46.2% and 4.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. O-O, in 53% 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 Variation, Charousek Variation
5. d4 scores best for White: 55.5%, with White winning 53.7% and Black 42.7% of 12K games. The most played, 5. O-O, scores 50.9% in 21K games, and 5. d3 scores lowest: 46.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 5. d4.
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: Classical Variation, Charousek Variation (C64)”. Lichess data as of 13 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-classical-variation-charousek-variation