Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Tartakower Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
4,942 games: White 47.9% / Draw 6.3% / Black 45.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 3,5123,512 | ||
| 608608 | ||
| 350350 | ||
| 185185 | ||
| 166166 | ||
| 8383 | ||
| 2828 | ||
| 55 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 9, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.12 The position is about equal
Best play: 6... Nc5 7. Bxc6 dxc6 8. d4 Ne6 9. dxe5 Nd4 10. Nxd4 Qxd4 11. h3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense, Tartakower Variation (ECO C80, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez: Open, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. Qe2 (6 moves).
In 4,942 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.9%, Black 45.9% and 6.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…Nc5, in 71% 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: Morphy Defense, Tartakower Variation
The most played answer, 6…Nc5, also scores best for Black: 53.1%, with Black winning 49.7% and White 43.5% of 3,512 games. Of the main answers, 6…d5 scores lowest: 33.6%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6…Nc5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black'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: Morphy Defense, Tartakower Variation (C80)”. Lichess data as of 9 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-morphy-defense-tartakower-variation