Ruy Lopez: Retreat Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
5,026 games: White 64.4% / Draw 3.6% / Black 32.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,8401,840 | ||
| 1,2821,282 | ||
| 605605 | ||
| 451451 | ||
| 389389 | ||
| 247247 | ||
| 5555 | ||
| 3333 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.34 White is better
Best play: 4. O-O c6 5. Bc4 d6 6. d4 Nd7 7. c3 b5 8. Bd3 Ngf6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Retreat Variation (ECO C60, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nb8 (3 moves).
In 5,026 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 64.4%, Black 32.0% and 3.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. O-O, in 37% 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: Retreat Variation
The most played answer, 4. O-O, also scores best for White: 69.2%, with White winning 67.3% and Black 28.9% of 1,840 games. Of the main answers, 4. c3 scores lowest: 62.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. O-O.
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: Retreat Variation (C60)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-retreat-variation