Ruy Lopez: Open, Dilworth Variation (C82)

The Open, Dilworth Variation is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C82. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3 Bc5 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Bc2 Nxf2, reaching the position shown below after 22 half-moves.

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d5). Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after 11 moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White’s e-file pawn is isolated.

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.

Position characteristics

• Black material edge
• Contested centre
• Same-side castling
• Isolated pawn

Related Ruy Lopez lines

• Open, Howell Attack
• Open, Howell Attack, Ekstrom Variation
• Open
• Open, Berlin Variation
• Open, Italian Variation
• Open, Motzko Attack
• Open, Motzko Attack, Nenarokov Variation
• Open, St. Petersburg Variation
• Alapin Defense, Alapin Gambit
• Cozio Defense, Tartakower Gambit
• Spanish Countergambit, Harding Countergambit, Fricke Gambit
• Spanish Countergambit, Harding Gambit

See all 184 Ruy Lopez variations →

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Open, Dilworth Variation?

The Open, Dilworth Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3 Bc5 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Bc2 Nxf2. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C82.

What is the ECO code for the Open, Dilworth Variation?

The Open, Dilworth Variation is ECO C82. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.

Is the Open, Dilworth Variation good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Nxe4 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d5 8. dxe5 Be6 9. c3 Bc5 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Bc2 Nxf2 at +0.26 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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 Open, Dilworth Variation lead to?

Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e5, Black on d5). Development is level at three minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; White’s e-file pawn is isolated.