Chess Openings Lab
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Ruy Lopez: Bulgarian Variation

The Bulgarian Variation is 3...a5 in the Ruy Lopez, a rare move that pushes the a-pawn two squares instead of developing. White simply castles and builds a center with c3 and d4, while Black has to prove the a5 pawn is more than a lost tempo.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a5
ECO
C60
Engine
+0.55 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
38 games in our lichess sample
White scores
71.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Castle first, then answer ...Nd4 with Bc4, keeping the bishop active as in the top engine line.
  • Build quietly with d3, Re1 and h3, using the extra time for a solid center.
  • Play c3 and d4 to take the center while Black spends moves on the edge.

Black

  • The jump ...Nd4 tries to trade White's f3 knight and gain a pawn on d4.
  • Develop normally with ...Nf6, ...d6 and ...Be7, accepting a slightly passive game.
  • The a5 pawn can support ...Nb4 or ...a4 later, but only once the king is safe.

Plans and pawn structure

White's plan is straightforward: castle, play c3 and d4, and enjoy a central space edge. Black's a5 pawn does not help the center, so Black aims for a Steinitz-like setup with ...d6, ...Nf6 and ...Be7. If Black jumps with ...Nd4 and trades on f3, White recaptures with the queen and pushes d4 with active pieces. Over time, the a5 pawn may give Black queenside space, but White's development comes first.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.55: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.55 4.O-O Nd4 5.Bc4 Nxf3+ 6.Qxf3 Nf6
  2. +0.46 4.d3 d6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 Nf6
  3. +0.45 4.c3 Nf6 5.Qe2 d6 6.d4 Bd7

Pawns, from White's side.

How to play against it

As White, ignore the a-pawn and develop: castle, play c3 and d4, and keep your pieces active. Avoid chasing the a5 pawn with early queen moves, since that hands back the time Black wasted. If Black jumps with ...Nd4, keep the bishop active on c4.

Questions

What are the moves of the Ruy Lopez: Bulgarian Variation?

The Ruy Lopez: Bulgarian Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a5. Its ECO code is C60.

Is the Ruy Lopez: Bulgarian Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.55 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. A dubious rarity for Black; it can surprise, but White gets easy development and a clear central edge.

What is the main idea of the Ruy Lopez: Bulgarian Variation?

Black pushes the a-pawn instead of developing, hoping for queenside space later. White uses the time to castle and build a center with c3 and d4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is O-O, with d3 and c3 close behind. 4.O-O castles and keeps White flexible, ready to answer ...Nd4 with Bc4.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.