Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto Defense
The Fianchetto Defense is 3...g6 in the Ruy Lopez, where Black prepares to put the dark bishop on g7. White builds a center with c3 and d4, while Black develops with ...Bg7 and ...Nge7 and looks for ...d5 to open the center.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6
- ECO
- C60
- Engine
- +0.50 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 253 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 46.4%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Castle and play c3 and d4, as in the top engine line, building a strong center.
- Recapture on d4 with the c-pawn to keep a broad center against the g7 bishop.
- Push d4 early to hit e5 before Black's bishop reaches the g7 square.
Black
- Develop with ...Bg7 and ...Nge7, then castle quickly to keep the king safe.
- Strike with ...d5 after White recaptures on d4 with the c-pawn, opening lines.
- Use the g7 bishop to hit the d4 pawn after ...exd4 and cxd4.
Plans and pawn structure
White builds a center with c3 and d4 and keeps the pawns on d4 and e4. Black's bishop on g7 pressures d4, and ...d5 is the main break to open lines. White aims for space and kingside play, while Black wants active pieces and pressure on the center. If White's center gets too wide, Black can hit it with ...d5 and ...Nxd5.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.50: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.50 4.O-O Nge7 5.c3 Bg7 6.d4 exd4
- +0.44 4.c3 Nge7 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 d5
- +0.42 4.d4 exd4 5.c3 Nge7 6.cxd4 d5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
253 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 46.4%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Morphy Defense, Modern Steinitz Defense, Fianchetto Variation4.c3 · rare
- Cozio Defense, Tartakower Gambit4.d4 · rare
How to play against it
As White, play c3 and d4 to build a strong center, and recapture with the c-pawn after ...exd4. Avoid leaving d4 without pawn support against the g7 bishop. As Black, develop with ...Bg7 and ...Nge7, castle, and then strike with ...d5.
Questions
What are the moves of the Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto Defense?
The Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto Defense starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6. Its ECO code is C60.
Is the Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto Defense good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.50 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 253 lichess games from our sample, White scored 46.4%. A playable side line for Black players who like fianchettoes; White gets a strong center.
What is the main idea of the Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto Defense?
Black fianchettoes the dark bishop to g7 and develops with ...Nge7. White builds a center with c3 and d4, and Black strikes back with ...d5.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is O-O, with c3 and d4 close behind. 4.O-O castles and prepares c3 and d4 for a strong center.
Related lines
- Ruy Lopez
- Steinitz Defense
- Berlin Defense
- Morphy Defense
- Classical Variation
- Exchange Variation
- How to beat the Ruy Lopezguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.