The Bird Variation, Paulsen Variation is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C61. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. O-O Ne7, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on d4). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the d-file.
On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.
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The Bird Variation, Paulsen Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. O-O Ne7. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C61.
The Bird Variation, Paulsen Variation is ECO C61. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nd4 4. Nxd4 exd4 5. O-O Ne7 at +0.69 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on d4). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the d-file.