Ruy Lopez: Closed, Worrall Attack, Castling Line (C86)

The Closed, Worrall Attack, Castling Line is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C86. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Qe2 Be7 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. d3, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on d5 and e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.

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, Worrall Attack, Castling Line — position after d3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Qe2 Be7 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. d3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2Nf3Nc6
3Bb5a6
4Ba4Nf6
5Qe2Be7
6O-Ob5
7Bb3O-O
8c3d5
9d3

ECO: C86

Stockfish: -0.14 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Ruy Lopez lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Closed, Worrall Attack, Castling Line?

The Closed, Worrall Attack, Castling Line goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Qe2 Be7 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. d3. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C86.

What is the ECO code for the Closed, Worrall Attack, Castling Line?

The Closed, Worrall Attack, Castling Line is ECO C86. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.

Is the Closed, Worrall Attack, Castling Line good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Qe2 Be7 6. O-O b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. c3 d5 9. d3 at -0.14 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, Worrall Attack, Castling Line lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on d5 and e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two 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.