1.e4 — the open games
Berlin Defence
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6ECO C65–C67
Black meets the Ruy López with the rock-solid 3…Nf6, inviting the famous Berlin endgame after 4.O-O Nxe4. Rehabilitated by Kramnik against Kasparov, it's the byword for a bulletproof drawing weapon at the top.
Key ideas
- The Berlin Wall endgame (after 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8) is dry and super-solid.
- Black accepts a slightly worse structure and no castling for the bishop pair and great piece activity.
- White players who want a fight often avoid it with 4.d3, keeping queens on for a slower struggle.
Who it suits
Solid players who want an ultra-reliable, well-respected answer to the Ruy López.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Berlin Defence move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer