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  3. /Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (C65)
C65

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense

Key moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6

The Berlin Defence leads to the famous "Berlin Wall" endgame after 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8. Despite the early queen exchange, the resulting positions are complex and require deep understanding.

History & Notable Players

The Berlin gained fame when Vladimir Kramnik used it to dethrone Garry Kasparov in the 2000 World Championship match. Since then, it has become one of the most important lines in modern chess.

Top Players in this Opening

Nakamura,Hi222 gamesSo,W213 gamesCaruana,F166 gamesCarlsen,M141 gamesKarjakin,Sergey130 gamesAnand,V129 gamesGrischuk,A119 gamesAronian,L112 gamesFirouzja,Alireza112 gamesGiri,A102 games

Related Openings

C60 - Ruy Lopez341C61 - Ruy Lopez: Bird Variation75C62 - Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense96C63 - Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense258C64 - Ruy Lopez: Classical Variation136C66 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap154C67 - Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Berlin Wall2019C68 - Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation284C69 - Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation, Alapin Gambit289

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