Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense
The Berlin Wall. Ultra-solid, often with early queen exchange.
ExploreLessonTrain
ArrowsAll
1. e4 › Ruy Lopez › Berlin Defense
Change
Sequence
1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bb5Nf64.O-O
Possible Variations26
4... Nxe415 variations
4... d66 variations
4... Bc54 variations
4... Ng4Fishing Pole Variation4... Ng4
About this opening
The Berlin Defense (3...Nf6) has become the symbol of modern solidity. After 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4, the queen trade leads to the famous “Berlin Wall”, an endgame where Black accepts a slightly damaged structure but is almost impregnable. Vladimir Kramnik used it to neutralize Garry Kasparov in their 2000 match, making this defense one of the most reliable drawing weapons for Black.