Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Classical Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
21,637 games: White 46.6% / Draw 6.0% / Black 47.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 15,03915K | ||
| 3,0523,052 | ||
| 1,5411,541 | ||
| 985985 | ||
| 367367 | ||
| 275275 | ||
| 171171 | ||
| 9595 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.60 White is slightly better
Best play: 8. Qe2 Nf6 9. Nxa7+ Bd7 10. Bxd7+ Nxd7 11. f4 Qc5 12. Nb5 Qxc2
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Classical Variation (ECO C63, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Dyckhoff Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qg5 (7 moves).
In 21,637 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.6%, Black 47.4% and 6.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Qe2, in 70% of those games.
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How to play against the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Classical Variation
The most played answer, 8. Qe2, also scores best for White: 52.2%, with White winning 48.9% and Black 44.6% of 15K games. Of the main answers, 8. Nxa7+ scores lowest: 42.6%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. Qe2.
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: Schliemann Defense, Classical Variation (C63)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-schliemann-defense-classical-variation