Chessy
Ruy Lopez Open: the key Black drill after 5...Nxe4
The Ruy Lopez Open is a sharp choice for Black: you grab the e4 pawn and invite White to prove compensation. This lesson page focuses on the exact position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4, where the real test begins. White has several natural ways to continue, but the engine and the game data both point to one move as the main challenge. Use the drill below to practise finding the right reply when White tries to make life uncomfortable.
Play the Ruy Lopez Open against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position really asks of Black
After 5...Nxe4, you are not trying to sit back and hold everything with passive moves. Black has taken a central pawn, but White gets active play and the position becomes a test of timing, development, and coordination. The practical goal is to stay accurate while White looks for initiative. If you know the main response, you can meet White’s pressure with a clear plan instead of guessing move by move.
The move the engine wants
Stockfish rates this +0.50, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here. The engine’s best move is d4, and the main continuation given is d4 b5 Bb3 d5. In other words, White’s most principled reaction is to strike in the centre quickly, so as Black you need to be ready for active central play, not just defend the extra pawn and hope for the best.
What the game data says White usually tries
Across 222,121 games in this exact position, White wins 57.8%, draws 3.6%, and Black wins 38.6%. The most-played continuation is Re1 with 136,905 games, followed by d4 with 60,727 games, Bxc6 with 14,477 games, d3 with 3,578 games, Qe2 with 2,888 games, and Nxe5 with 1,333 games. That tells you this is a very practical opening: White has several natural choices, and you should be ready for more than one plan.
Common mistakes to punish in the drill
The database also flags a few clear inaccuracies from White. Re1 is an inaccuracy and the better move was d4. Bxc6 is also an inaccuracy, again with d4 as the better move. d3 is another inaccuracy, and it loses even more than the other two listed slips. In your drill, that means you should not be surprised if White chooses a move that looks simple rather than forcing; your job is to recognise when White has drifted away from the strongest central push.
Results across 222,121 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Re1 | 136,905 | 57.1% |
| d4 | 60,727 | 60.8% |
| Bxc6 | 14,477 | 55.9% |
| d3 | 3,578 | 47.3% |
| Qe2 | 2,888 | 56.3% |
| Nxe5 | 1,333 | 52.2% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ruy Lopez Open for Black trying to do?
Black takes the e4 pawn early and asks White to prove compensation. The position is active and concrete, so you need to know the main reply rather than rely on general opening principles alone.
What is the best move for White in this position?
The engine’s best move is d4. The given continuation is d4 b5 Bb3 d5, which shows that White’s most direct idea is to strike in the centre immediately.
Is this position good for Black?
No, the numbers show White has the edge. Stockfish gives +0.50, and the game data also shows White scoring better overall from this position.
Which White moves should I expect most often?
Re1 is by far the most common continuation, with d4 also appearing very often. Bxc6, d3, Qe2, and Nxe5 show up too, so it helps to be ready for several different White setups.
How many games feature the Ruy Lopez Open?
Over 222K Lichess games have reached the Ruy Lopez Open position. White wins 57.8%, Black wins 38.6%, with 3.6% draws — based on real rated games.