Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alekhine Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
20,832 games: White 45.0% / Draw 10.2% / Black 44.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 6,1986,198 | ||
| 6,0606,060 | ||
| 5,2275,227 | ||
| 1,1361,136 | ||
| 611611 | ||
| 412412 | ||
| 188188 | ||
| 185185 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 13, 2026
Engine evaluation
0.00 The position is about equal
Best play: 8. Be3 Bd7 9. Nd2 O-O-O 10. O-O-O Re8 11. f3 Bf8 12. Ne2 Ne7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, 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 Bd6 (7 moves).
In 20,832 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.0%, Black 44.8% and 10.2% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Nc3, in 30% 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 Variation, Alekhine Variation
8. Be3 scores best for White: 54.9%, with White winning 49.2% and Black 39.5% of 5,227 games. The most played, 8. Nc3, scores 51.9% in 6,198 games, and 8. f4 scores lowest: 45.9%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. Be3.
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 Variation, Alekhine Variation (C68)”. Lichess data as of 13 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-exchange-variation-alekhine-variation