Ruy Lopez: Closed, Alekhine Gambit (C88)

The Closed, Alekhine Gambit is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C88. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 Na5 9. Bc2 c5 10. d4 Qc7 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Nf1 Bg4 13. Ne3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3, reaching the position shown below after 27 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after 14 moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White has the bishop pair.

On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Ruy Lopez: Closed, Alekhine Gambit — position after Qxf3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 Na5 9. Bc2 c5 10. d4 Qc7 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Nf1 Bg4 13. Ne3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2Nf3Nc6
3Bb5a6
4Ba4Nf6
5O-OBe7
6Re1b5
7Bb3d6
8c3Na5
9Bc2c5
10d4Qc7
11Nbd2O-O
12Nf1Bg4
13Ne3Bxf3
14Qxf3

ECO: C88

Stockfish: +0.19 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Ruy Lopez lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Closed, Alekhine Gambit?

The Closed, Alekhine Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 Na5 9. Bc2 c5 10. d4 Qc7 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Nf1 Bg4 13. Ne3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C88.

What is the ECO code for the Closed, Alekhine Gambit?

The Closed, Alekhine Gambit is ECO C88. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.

Is the Closed, Alekhine Gambit good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 Na5 9. Bc2 c5 10. d4 Qc7 11. Nbd2 O-O 12. Nf1 Bg4 13. Ne3 Bxf3 14. Qxf3 at +0.19 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.

What kind of position does the Closed, Alekhine Gambit lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and two pawn captures are available, so the structure is still fluid. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White has the bishop pair.