Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Tartakower Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
81,429 games: White 45.9% / Draw 6.6% / Black 47.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 28,03428K | ||
| 22,93423K | ||
| 22,07122K | ||
| 3,8673,867 | ||
| 2,5482,548 | ||
| 1,0131,013 | ||
| 392392 | ||
| 169169 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.52 White is slightly better
Best play: 6. Qe2 d5 7. Nxf6+ gxf6 8. O-O Be7 9. d4 e4 10. Ne1 h5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Tartakower 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 Nf6 (5 moves).
In 81,429 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.9%, Black 47.5% and 6.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nxf6+, in 34% 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, Tartakower Variation
6. Qe2 scores best for White: 53.5%, with White winning 50.3% and Black 43.3% of 22K games. The most played, 6. Nxf6+, scores 50.8% in 28K games, and 6. d3 scores lowest: 44.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 6. 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, Tartakower Variation (C63)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-schliemann-defense-tartakower-variation