Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Bronstein Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
46,275 games: White 45.0% / Draw 6.4% / Black 48.6%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 22,79023K | ||
| 5,9655,965 | ||
| 4,5104,510 | ||
| 3,6023,602 | ||
| 3,0853,085 | ||
| 3,0443,044 | ||
| 1,5391,539 | ||
| 1,3711,371 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.10 The position is about equal
Best play: 6. Na3 Be6 7. Qe2 Ne7 8. Nc4 Bxc4 9. Qxc4 c5 10. d3 Nc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Bronstein Variation (ECO C69, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Normal Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. O-O Qd6 (5 moves).
In 46,275 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.0%, Black 48.6% and 6.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. d4, in 49% 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, Bronstein Variation
6. Na3 scores best for White: 56.7%, with White winning 53.3% and Black 39.8% of 4,510 games. The most played, 6. d4, scores 47.3% in 23K games, and 6. Nc3 scores lowest: 43.4%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. Na3.
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, Bronstein Variation (C69)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-exchange-variation-bronstein-variation