Ruy Lopez Berlin Defense Variation


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This lesson will give you initial knowledge on the Berlin Defense variation of the Ruy Lopes chess opening, and it is designed for beginners. To learn the Berlin Defense variation of the Ruy Lopez, please read its description in Part I (just below) and see video about the Berlin Defense in Part II on this page below.

I. Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense: Description


The Berlin Defense variation moves of the Ruy Lopez are the following:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6.

Berlin Defense variation of Ruy Lopez

By statistics, the Ruy Lopez Berlin Defense variation is 10-15% of all Ruy Lopez games. Under correct play, this variation is considered as solid variation for Black with a big chance to draw a game.

After 3... Nf6, the strongest White answer is 4.0-0. Other White answering moves, not bad but less common, are: 4.d3, 4.Nc3, 4.Qe2, and 4.Bxc6. The main play line is 4.0-0 Nxe4. Less common lines are: 4.d3 d6; 4.Nc3 Bb4; 4.Qe2 Bc5; and 4.Bxc6 dxc6.

This variation of the Ruy Lopez is sometimes called "the Berlin Wall", and it is quite popular at the chess master level and the top level of chess. To get a feel of correctly playing the Berlin Defense variation of the Ruy Lopez, you are advised to see the below video.

II. Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense: Video


This video runs for 2 minutes 36 seconds and consists of 3 parts. Part 1 is Introduction to the Berlin Defense variation of the Ruy Lopez, Part 2 will show you how to play its 2 proven lines (best proven moves for White and Black), and Part 3 will show you possibilities at beginning. To see the video, click the Play button below:




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• If the video displays an error, try to start and play it later.

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On this page of chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com you have studied the Berlin Defense variation of the Ruy Lopez chess opening. The variation starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6, and it covers 10-15% of all Ruy Lopez games...