Library/Openings/Ruy Lopez/Classical Defense/Zaitsev Variation ECO C64
Opening· 9 plies

Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C64), reached after 9 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4.

Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev Variation ECO C64
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Black rook
Black bishop
Black queen
Black king
Black knight
Black rook
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
White bishop
Black bishop
Black pawn
White pawn
Black knight
White pawn
White knight
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White rook
White knight
White bishop
White queen
White rook
White king
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End of this line

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

About this opening

Ruy Lopez: Classical Defense, Zaitsev 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 9 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O Nd4 5. b4.

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

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bb5 Bc5, 4.O-O Nd4, 5.b4. 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.