Ruy Lopez: Lucena Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
128,514 games: White 52.4% / Draw 4.7% / Black 42.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 62,44662K | ||
| 29,95430K | ||
| 14,95015K | ||
| 7,3137,313 | ||
| 6,4606,460 | ||
| 5,8115,811 | ||
| 529529 | ||
| 226226 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.25 The position is about equal
Best play: 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. O-O O-O 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nxe5 Nxe4 8. Nxe4 Qd5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Lucena Variation (ECO C60, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Be7 (3 moves).
In 128,514 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.4%, Black 42.9% and 4.7% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. O-O, 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: Lucena Variation
The most played answer, 4. O-O, also scores best for White: 56.3%, with White winning 54.0% and Black 41.4% of 62K games. Of the main answers, 4. d3 scores lowest: 51.7%. Stockfish's first choice is 4. 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: Lucena Variation (C60)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-lucena-variation