Ruy Lopez: Exchange, Alekhine Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
71,512 games: White 41.7% / Draw 11.7% / Black 46.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 24,46224K | ||
| 23,77624K | ||
| 11,22511K | ||
| 6,6956,695 | ||
| 1,3981,398 | ||
| 1,0711,071 | ||
| 628628 | ||
| 448448 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 28, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.10 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. Nc3 O-O-O 9. f3 Re8 10. Bd2 Bd6 11. Nde2 Ne7 12. Bf4 Bc5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Exchange, Alekhine Variation (ECO C68, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Qxd4 7. Nxd4 Bd7 (7 moves).
In 71,512 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 41.7%, Black 46.6% and 11.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Be3, in 34% 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: Exchange, Alekhine Variation
The most played answer, 8. Be3, also scores best for White: 50.8%, with White winning 44.6% and Black 43.0% of 24K games. Of the main answers, 8. O-O scores lowest: 40.6%. Stockfish's first choice is 8. Nc3.
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: Exchange, Alekhine Variation (C68)”. Lichess data as of 28 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-exchange-alekhine-variation