Berlin Defence

Play as BlackDefence

A famous solid defence to the Ruy Lopez that heads for a safe endgame.

The main line, move by move

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8

1. 1. e4 — Claim the center and open lines for the queen and bishop.
2. 1... e5 — Black claims the center too.
3. 2. Nf3 — Brings the knight into the game.
4. 2... Nc6 — Brings the knight into the game.
5. 3. Bb5 — Brings the bishop into the game.
6. 3... Nf6 — Brings the knight into the game.
7. 4. O-O — Castle: your king gets safe and a rook joins the game.
8. 4... Nxe4 — Takes the pawn on e4.
9. 5. d4 — Strike at the center.
10. 5... Nd6 — Retreat the knight to safety; it eyes the bishop on b5.
11. 6. Bxc6 — Takes the knight on c6.
12. 6... dxc6 — Takes the bishop on c6.
13. 7. dxe5 — Takes the pawn on e5.
14. 7... Nf5 — Put the knight on an active square and invite the queen trade.
15. 8. Qxd8+ — Takes the queen on d8. Gives check.
16. 8... Kxd8 — Takes the queen on d8.

Related openings

• Sicilian Defense (Najdorf)
• French Defense
• Caro-Kann Defense
• Scandinavian Defense
• Pirc Defense

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