ECO C65 · for Black
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
3,966,503 games in this band reached the Berlin Defense position. From there Black won 44% and drew 4%.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. d4 exd4 7. cxd4 Bb6 8. e5 Nd5 9. Nc3
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... e5
Black grabs an equal share of the center and scope to develop some pieces.
2. Nf3
The most natural move, developing the Knight with tempo
2... Nc6
Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing to castle kingside and supporting the e5 pawn.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Bc5
3. Bb5
Threatening the knight on c6, which is a key defender of the e5 pawn. This move also prepares to castle kingside.
3... Nf6
Developing the knight to f6 attacks the e4 pawn and prepares for d5, aiming to challenge white's control of the center. This move also allows for Be7 and castling kingside.
4. O-O
Castling kingside, for king safety. The pawn is not really hanging, because if Nxe4 then Re1.
- 4. d3: The so-called "Anti-Berlin", avoiding the huge amount of theory associated with the Berlin endgame.
- 4. Bxc6: Exchanging on c6 in order to double Black pawns and weaken the e5 pawn.
- 4. Nc3: Developing the knight and protecting the undefended e4 pawn.
4... Bc5
Developing the bishop and preparing to castle queenside.
- 4... Nxe4: Capturing the hanging pawn. After Re1 the knight will retreat attacking the light squared bishop.
- 4... a6: Attacking White’s bishop and forcing it to either retreat or exchange on c6.
Moves 5 to 6
5. c3 O-O 6. d4 exd4
5. c3
Preparing to play d4 to gain space while attacking the bishop and forcing it to retreat.
- 5. d3: Protecting the hanging e4 pawn and opening up the dark-squared bishop to develop.
5... O-O
6. d4
6... exd4
Moves 7 to 9
7. cxd4 Bb6 8. e5 Nd5 9. Nc3
7. cxd4
7... Bb6
8. e5
8... Nd5
9. Nc3
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The knight on d5 typically captures the knight on c3
- The kingside rook generally develops to e8
- The light-squared bishop usually develops to f5
- Common pawn moves are h6, d6, d5, and a6
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Italian Game for White
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black