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.

Best Games

So,W vs Gukesh,D0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs So,W1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs So,W0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Carlsen,M1-0
13th Norway Chess 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
87th Tata Steel Masters • 2025★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
11th Sinquefield Cup • 2024★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Caruana,F0-1
Saint Louis Rapid 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Le,Quang Liem0-1
57th Biel GM1 Final 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Vidit,S1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Vidit,S0-1
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
FIDE Candidates 2024 • 2024★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
10th Sinquefield Cup • 2023★ Notable
Giri,A vs So,W1/2-1/2
10th Sinquefield Cup • 2023★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
10th Sinquefield Cup • 2023★ Notable
So,W vs Giri,A0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Le,Quang Liem1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2023 • 2023★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
Saint Louis Rapid 2023 • 2023★ Notable

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