The Berlin Defense is a fascinating and historically significant chess opening that has been employed by some of the greatest players in the world.
As a variation of the Ruy Lopez opening, it has become a popular choice for those seeking a solid and defensive strategy.
Below we look at the Berlin Defense in detail, covering its move order, theory, variations, history, suitability for different levels of players, and its frequency of play at the Grandmaster level.
Move Order of the Berlin Defense
The Berlin Defense begins with the following moves:
These moves set the stage for a complex battle, with White seeking to exert pressure on the e5 pawn and Black aiming to counterattack the e4 pawn.
Theory, Strategy, and Purpose of the Berlin Defense
The Berlin Defense is characterized by Black’s third move, attacking the e4-pawn.
However, this is not an actual threat, as White can win back the e5-pawn if Black captures on e4.
Strategically, the Berlin Defense is often used as a drawing weapon by players who want to obtain a draw as Black or prefer to play defensively and reach endgames.
The resulting endgames are generally viewed as equal or slightly favorable for White, but Black has compensation in the form of the bishop pair.
Variations of the Berlin Defense
The Berlin Defense has several variations, each with its unique characteristics:
- Main Line (C67): 4.0-0 Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8
- Anti-Berlin (4.d3): A popular option to avoid the traditional Berlin endgame. Brings it to a roughly equal position.
- Mortimer Trap (4…Ne7): An inferior move that can win a piece if White plays 5.Nxe5.
- Berlin Draw: A line often used by top-level players to agree to an early draw.
Other fourth moves for White, such as 4.Nc3, are rarely seen.
Fishing Pole Trap
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nc6
- Bb5 Nf6
- O-O Ng4 (anticipating 5. h3 from white)
- h3 h5
The Fishing Pole Trap, originating from the Berlin Defense, is a deceptive tactic where black tempts white with an oddly placed knight on Ng4.
Many master-level have been defeated by this trap, even when played by intermediate players.
When white predictably tries to dislodge the knight with h3, black supports it with h5.
If white captures the knight, black retaliates with a pawn capture on g4, followed by a queen move to h4, leading to an almost certain defeat for white.
If unsuccessful, black can reposition the knight without significant loss.
Evaluation of the Berlin Defense
The Berlin Defense is evaluated at around +0.30 to +0.50, favoring white.
Continuation Lines for the Berlin Defense
Below are some sample continuation lines for the Berlin Defense:
4. 0-0 (leading to the l’Hermet variation)
4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Ne8 10. d5 Bc5 11. Re1 d6 12. Nc3 Bf5 13. Be3 Bxe3 14. Rxe3 Nf6 15. h3
4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re2 Nf5 11. c3 d5 12. Nd2 a5 13. a4 Be7 14. Re1 c6 15. Bd3 Re8 16. Nf3 g6 17. Bf4 Bd6 18. Rxe8+ Qxe8
4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Bf4 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. c3 d5 14. Nd2 Bf5 15. a4 a5 16. Qd1 Bg5 17. Be5 c6 18. Nf3 Bf6 19. Qb3 Bxe5 20. dxe5
4. O-O Nxe4 5. Re1 Nd6 6. Nxe5 Be7 7. Bf1 Nxe5 8. Rxe5 O-O 9. d4 Bf6 10. Re1 Re8 11. Bf4 Rxe1 12. Qxe1 Ne8 13. c3 d5 14. Bd3 g6 15. Nd2 Ng7 16. Nf3 Bf5 17. Bxf5 Nxf5 18. Qd1 c6 19. h3 Qb6 20. Qd2 Ng7 21. a4 Re8 22. a5
4.d3 (the Anti-Berlin)
4… Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Nd7 7. c3 O-O 8. d4 Bd6 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bh4 a5 11. Bg3 a4 12. Nbd2 Qe8 13. b3 Nb6 14. Re1 c5 15. h3 Bd7 16. Qc2 h6 17. Rad1 axb3 18. axb3 cxd4 19. cxd4
4… Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Nd7 7. c3 O-O 8. d4 Bd6 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bh4 a5 11. Nbd2 a4 12. Qc2 Qe7 13. b3 c5 14. Nc4 Re8 15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Nfxe5 Bxe5 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. f3
4… Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Nd7 7. c3 O-O 8. d4 Bd6 9. Bg5 f6 10. Bh4 a5 11. Qb3+ Kh8 12. Qc2 Qe7 13. Nbd2 c5 14. Nc4 cxd4 15. cxd4 exd4 16. Nxd4 Bf4 17. Bg3 Bxg3 18. hxg3 Re8 19. Rfd1 Qxe4
4… Bc5 5. Bxc6 dxc6 6. O-O Nd7 7. c3 O-O 8. d4 Bd6 9. Re1 c5 10. Bg5 f6 11. Be3 Qe7 12. Nbd2 Qf7 13. h3 h6 14. a4 a5 15. d5 f5 16. exf5 Qxf5 17. Nh4 Qf6
4.Nc3 (transposing to the Four Knights Game)
4… Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 dxc3 7. exf6 Qxf6 8. dxc3 Be7 9. O-O c6 10. Bd3 O-O 11. Re1 d5
4… Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 dxc3 7. exf6 Qxf6 8. dxc3 Be7 9. O-O O-O 10. Be3 d5 11. Re1 Bd6 12. Bd3 Qh4 13. g3 Qg4 14. a4 Re8 15. Qxg4 Bxg4 16. c4
4… Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 Bxc3 7. bxc3 d6 8. Bg5 h6 9. Bh4 Bd7 10. a4 a6 11. Bc4 Na5 12. Ba2 Bxa4 13. g4 Bd7 14. g5 hxg5 15. Nxg5
4… Bd6 5. d3 O-O 6. Ba4 a6 7. O-O h6 8. Ne2 b5 9. Bb3 Re8 10. a4 b4 11. c3 Bf8
4… Bd6 5. d3 h6 6. O-O O-O 7. a4 Re8 8. Bc4 Bf8 9. Re1 Nb4 10. h3 c6 11. a5 d6 12. Bd2 Be6 13. Bxe6 Rxe6 14. g4 Nh7 15. Kg2 c5
Berlin Draw
The Berlin Draw can be used to agree to an early draw in this Defense:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0-0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.dxe5 Nxb5 7.a4 Nbd4 8.Nxd4 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 d5 10.exd6 e.p. Qxd6 11.Qe4+ Qe6 12.Qd4 Qd6 13.Qe4+ Qe6 14.Qd4 Qd6..
The game ends in a threefold repetition draw =on move 14, or on move 18 through an automatic draw for fivefold repetition.
History of the Berlin Defense
The Berlin Defense was first analyzed in depth in the 19th century and received its name from the Berliners who examined its variations.
It was rarely used in high-level games until the Classical World Chess Championship 2000, where Vladimir Kramnik used it as a drawing weapon against Garry Kasparov.
The 2000 match caused a resurgence of interest in the Berlin Defense, and it has since been used by top players like Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand.
The Most Solid Chess Opening: Berlin Defense | Best Opening Moves, Strategies, Traps & Ideas
Is the Berlin Defense Good for Beginners or Intermediates?
The Berlin Defense is a solid and defensive opening that can be suitable for both beginners and intermediate players.
For beginners, it offers a clear plan and a relatively safe position.
For intermediate players, it provides opportunities to explore complex endgames and strategic nuances.
How Often Is the Berlin Defense Played at the Grandmaster Level?
The Berlin Defense is the second-most popular variation of the Ruy Lopez, constituting about 17% of all Ruy Lopez games.
It has a relatively high drawing rate compared to other lines.
Top Grandmasters have utilized the Berlin Defense in critical matches, and it has also been featured in quick draws, such as the Berlin Draw line.
It has been used since the 1800s, but was resuscitated from relatively sparse use upon Vladimir Kramnik using it to help defeat Garry Kasparov in the 2000 World Chess Championship.
The Berlin Defense in Chess, explained by GM Sam Shankland
FAQs – Berlin Defense (Ruy Lopez Theory): 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6
What is the Berlin Defense, and how does it fit into the broader Ruy Lopez opening?
The Berlin Defence is a chess opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6.
It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, and it is assigned codes C65–C67 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings.
The codes correspond to various variations, such as C65 for 4.d3 and 4.Nc3, C66 for 4.0-0 d6, and C67 for 4.0-0 Nxe4 (the main line).
Why is the Berlin Defense referred to as the “Berlin Wall”?
The Berlin Defence is sometimes called the “Berlin Wall” due to its defensive and drawish nature.
It is often employed by players seeking to obtain a draw or play defensively to reach an endgame.
How did the Berlin Defense gain popularity in modern chess?
The Berlin Defense gained prominence after the Classical World Chess Championship 2000, when Vladimir Kramnik used it against Garry Kasparov.
It has since been used by top players such as Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand, becoming a solid option for achieving an equal endgame.
What are the key strategic considerations for Black in the Berlin Defense?
Black’s third move in the Berlin Defence attacks the e4-pawn but doesn’t really threaten it.
The players usually exchange queens early, leading to an endgame where Black may have doubled pawns and a centralized king but gains compensation in the form of the bishop pair.
What are the main variations in the Berlin Defence?
The main lines of the Berlin include 4. 0-0 (leading to the l’Hermet variation), 4.d3 (the Anti-Berlin), and 4.Nc3 (transposing to the Four Knights Game).
Other fourth moves are rarely seen. These variations allow for different strategic considerations and game progressions.
What is the Berlin Draw, and how does it play out?
The Berlin Draw is a line that often results in a threefold repetition draw as early as move 14 or a fivefold repetition on move 18.
It begins with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0-0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 and continues to a draw unless White avoids playing en passant.
It has been used in many top-level games for a quick draw.
How do the statistics compare for the Berlin Defense against other Ruy Lopez variations?
The Berlin Defence is the second-most popular variation of the Ruy Lopez, making up about 17% of all Ruy Lopez games.
It has a higher drawing rate compared to other lines, with 33.1% wins for White, 22.4% wins for Black, and 44.5% draws.
What is the Anti-Berlin, and why do players choose it?
The Anti-Berlin is initiated by the move 4.d3, avoiding the early exchange of queens typical in the main lines of the Berlin.
It’s chosen by players who wish to sidestep the traditional Berlin endgame, offering different tactical and strategic complexities.
Are there any famous traps in the Berlin Defense?
Yes, the Mortimer Trap occurs after 4.d3 Ne7, winning a piece if White plays 5.Nxe5.
However, this move is regarded as inferior because it loses time by moving the same piece twice.
How does the Berlin Defense influence modern competitive play?
The Berlin Defence has had a significant influence on modern competitive play, being a key weapon in World Championship matches and a line that promotes drawish tendencies in crucial tournament situations.
Its resurgence and adaptation by top players have shaped the way the Ruy Lopez and related openings are approached today.
Conclusion
The Berlin Defense is a rich and multifaceted opening that has played a significant role in chess history.
From its 19th-century origins to its resurgence in the 2000 World Chess Championship, it has become a staple in modern chess.
With its solid structure, strategic depth, and various variations, the Berlin Defense offers something for players of all levels.
Whether seeking a safe haven for beginners or a complex battleground for Grandmasters, the Berlin Defense continues to be a vital part of the chess landscape.
