Chess Openings Lab
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Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit

The Spanish Countergambit is 3...d5, an attempt to open the center against the Ruy Lopez at once. White can simply take on e5 or d5 and keep a clear plus, while Black hopes for quick development and tricks around the e4 and e5 squares.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d5
ECO
C60
Engine
+1.40 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
402 games in our lichess sample
White scores
63.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Take with 4.Nxe5, the engine's first choice, attacking c6 and leaving Black's e-pawn gone.
  • After 4.exd5 Qxd5, Nc3 gains time on the queen and leads to quick castling.
  • Use the pin on c6 to support Nxc6 or Bxc6 when Black's queenside pawns become weak.
  • Answer ...Qg5 calmly with Bf1 or castling, making sure the g2 pawn stays covered.

Black

  • After 4.Nxe5, ...a6 asks the bishop to decide, and ...Qg5 hits e5 and g2.
  • Keep developing with ...Bb4 and ...Nf6 to make the extra pawn hard to keep.
  • Against exd5, the queen should retreat to d6 and Black should castle fast.
  • Avoid opening more lines, since Black is already behind in development and a pawn down.

Plans and pawn structure

This is a dubious gambit. White wins a central pawn and keeps a lead in development. After 4.Nxe5, Black's best try is to chase the knight with ...Qg5 and hope White gets tangled. White retreats the bishop, castles, and keeps the extra material. In the exd5 line, the queen gets kicked by Nc3, and White builds d4 with a clear edge in space.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.40: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +1.40 4.Nxe5 a6 5.Nxc6 Qg5 6.Bf1 bxc6
  2. +1.36 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.Nc3 Qd6 6.O-O Ne7
  3. +1.01 4.Qe2 a6 5.Bxc6+ bxc6 6.Nxe5 Qg5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

402 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 63.2%.

under 120063.5%
1200–159965.9%
1600–199962.0%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Spanish Countergambit, Harding Gambit4.Nxe5 · rare

How to play against it

As White, take with 4.Nxe5 or 4.exd5 and just develop. Keep g2 protected when the queen arrives on g5, and retreat the bishop to f1 if needed. Do not be greedy with extra captures if it delays castling. A pawn up with a safe king is all you need.

Questions

What are the moves of the Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit?

The Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 d5. Its ECO code is C60.

Is the Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.40 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 402 lichess games from our sample, White scored 63.2%. A dubious try that only scores against unprepared players; White keeps a clear edge with simple captures.

What is the main idea of the Ruy Lopez: Spanish Countergambit?

Black tries to open the center with ...d5 before White is ready. White can win a pawn with Nxe5 or exd5 and keep the lead in development.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nxe5, with exd5 and Qe2 close behind. 4.Nxe5 grabs a pawn and attacks c6, putting Black under pressure.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.