Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit
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Statistics from Lichess
32,217 games: White 45.5% / Draw 5.4% / Black 49.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 13,84614K | ||
| 6,2156,215 | ||
| 5,0365,036 | ||
| 4,9634,963 | ||
| 1,1591,159 | ||
| 518518 | ||
| 382382 | ||
| 4444 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.76 White is better
Best play: 5. d4 fxe4 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nxe5 Bd6 8. Qh5+ g6 9. Qe2 Bf5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Cordel Gambit (ECO C64, Open Games) is a gambit in the Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation, Central Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. c3 f5 (4 moves).
In 32,217 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.5%, Black 49.1% and 5.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. d4, in 43% 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, Cordel Gambit
The most played answer, 5. d4, also scores best for White: 50.8%, with White winning 47.6% and Black 46.0% of 14K games. Of the main answers, 5. d3 scores lowest: 44.0%. 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, Cordel Gambit (C64)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-classical-variation-cordel-gambit