Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Benelux Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C64), reached after 12 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black bishop — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

End of this line

No further variations branch from this position in our database. To explore neighbouring ideas:

⤴ See the Ruy Lopez family overview

About this opening

Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Benelux Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C64. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 12 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 Bb6.

It belongs to the Ruy Lopez family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Classical Defense → Benelux Variation line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bb5 Nf6, 4.O-O Bc5, 5.c3 O-O, 6.d4 Bb6. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.