Ruy Lopez: Cozio Defense

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7

ECO C60

The Ruy Lopez: Cozio Defense is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7.

It is catalogued under code C60 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nge7 is chosen by Black on move 3.

2 named continuations branch from this position, including the Paulsen Variation and the Tartakower Gambit.

Named variations

• Ruy Lopez: Cozio Defense, Paulsen Variation — ECO C60
• Ruy Lopez: Cozio Defense, Tartakower Gambit — ECO C60

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Beat the Ruy Lopez course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.