Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Schönemann Attack
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Statistics from Lichess
115,019 games: White 47.4% / Draw 4.8% / Black 47.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 99,36699K | ||
| 9,6289,628 | ||
| 3,1123,112 | ||
| 1,6571,657 | ||
| 513513 | ||
| 294294 | ||
| 207207 | ||
| 8383 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.03 The position is about equal
Best play: 4... fxe4 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. Nxe5 Nf6 7. Nc3 Bf5 8. O-O Be7 9. Bf4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Schönemann Attack (ECO C63, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. d4 (4 moves).
In 115,019 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 47.4%, Black 47.8% and 4.8% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…fxe4, in 86% 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: Schliemann Defense, Schönemann Attack
The most played answer, 4…fxe4, also scores best for Black: 51.3%, with Black winning 48.8% and White 46.3% of 99K games. Of the main answers, 4…exd4 scores lowest: 44.6%. Stockfish's first choice is also 4…fxe4.
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: Schliemann Defense, Schönemann Attack (C63)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-schliemann-defense-schonemann-attack