Berlin Defence

Common card · No. 417803

The Berlin Defence is a chess opening that begins with the moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 The Berlin is the second most popular reply (after 3...a6) to the Ruy Lopez for Black. Though it has a long history, it became particularly popular in the 21st century after Vladimir Kramnik successfully used it as a drawing weapon against Garry Kasparov in the Classical World Chess Championship 2000. The most common continuation is 4.0-0 Nxe4, the Open Berlin, which may be followed by 5.d4 or 5.Re1. The main alternative is 4.d3, the Anti-Berlin, where White gives up the possibility of playing d2-d4 in one move in order to prevent ...Nxe4. Frequently in the Berlin Defence, the players exchange queens early, entering an endgame. The resulting endgames are generally viewed as equal or very slightly favourable for White; however, both sides can opt to avoid exchanging queens. Strategically, the Berlin Defence is often used as a drawing weapon by players who want to obtain a draw as Black, and...

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