Tree path 7 levels King's Pawn Game › King's Knight Opening › Normal Variation › Ruy Lopez › Classical Variation › Central Variation › Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit
C64

Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit

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Overview

Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit is a sacrificial opening line filed under ECO C64 in the Open Games group. The defining idea is the early concession of material to seize the initiative and unbalance the position.

The Open Games group covers open games — classical 1.e4 e5 openings where both sides contest the centre directly with pawns.

It is reached after 8 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 f5.

In the opening tree, this line branches off from Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Central Variation, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.

Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.

ECO code
C64
Group
Open Games (C)
Plies
8
Parent
Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Central Variation

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

32,217 games · White 45.5% / Draw 5.4% / Black 49.1%

MovesGamesW / D / B
d413,846
exf56,215
Bxc65,036
d34,963
O-O1,159
Qe2518
Nxe5382
b444

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:53:29

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