Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Jaenisch Gambit Accepted
The Jaenisch Gambit Accepted is 4.exf5, where White takes the pawn offered by the Schliemann. Black wants to push ...e4 and gain space with tempo on the f3 knight, while White tries to keep the extra pawn and survive the initiative.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5 4.exf5
- ECO
- C63
- Engine
- −0.49 · a slight edge for Black (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 590 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 47.3%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After 4...e4, play Qe2 and follow with Bxc6 and Nd4, as in the top engine line.
- Against 4...Nf6, castle and meet ...e4 with Ng5, then aim the knight at e6.
- If Black plays 4...a6, Bxc6 and Nxe5 grab a second pawn, with Qe2 next.
- Develop the queenside quickly with Nc3; the extra pawn matters only if the king is safe.
Black
- Push 4...e4 to kick the knight and gain space; this is Black's best move here.
- After Qe2, play ...Qe7 to hold the e4 pawn and keep pressure on the e-file.
- Recapture on c6 with the d-pawn to open the c8 bishop toward f5.
- Bring the knight to f5 via h6 to regain the pawn with pressure.
Plans and pawn structure
The game centers on Black's e4 pawn. White blockades with Nd4 and Qe2, and looks for d3 or f3 to break it up. Black develops with ...Nh6-f5 and ...Qe7, then tries to win back the f5 pawn while keeping the e4 wedge. If White gets castled and trades the e4 pawn, the extra pawn begins to count. If Black keeps e4 and wins f5 back, White's position stays cramped.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.49: a slight edge for Black. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.49 4...e4 5.Qe2 Qe7 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.Nd4
- +0.80 4...Nf6 5.O-O e4 6.Ng5 d5 7.d3
- +1.04 4...a6 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nxe5 Bxf5 7.Qe2
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
590 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.3%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, play 4...e4 at once and do not hesitate. Answer Qe2 with ...Qe7 and recapture on c6 toward the center. Avoid 4...Nf6 and 4...a6, which give White a clear lead after Ng5 or Nxe5. Then win back f5 with ...Nh6.
Questions
What are the moves of the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Jaenisch Gambit Accepted?
The Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Jaenisch Gambit Accepted starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5 4.exf5. Its ECO code is C63.
Is the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Jaenisch Gambit Accepted good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.49 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for Black. In 590 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.3%. Risky for White players who do not know the ...e4 reply, and Black gets an easy initiative with accurate moves.
What is the main idea of the Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense, Jaenisch Gambit Accepted?
White grabs the f5 pawn, and Black answers with ...e4 to drive the knight and seize space. Black's pieces then regain the pawn with ...Nh6 and ...Qe7 pressure.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is e4, with Nf6 and a6 close behind. 4...e4 gains space with tempo on the f3 knight and starts Black's initiative.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.