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On this page of chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com we will learn the Berlin Defense variation of the Bishop's Opening. The Bishop's Opening starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4, and the Berlin Defense runs as 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 (see figure below). The Berlin Defense is the strongest respond of Black to the Bishop's Opening. Note that the main line of the Bishop's Opening runs via the Berlin Defense.
I. Bishop's Opening Berlin Defense
The Berlin Defense is the most common variation of the Bishop's Opening, and it covers 70-75% of the Bishop's Opening games. The Berlin Defense is ECO code C24, and it runs 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6. By the move 2... Nf6, Black attacks the pawn e4 and secure h5 against Qh5... The Berlin Defense is a parent of the following gambits of the Bishop's Opening: Greco Gambit 3.f4, Ponziani Gambit 3.d4, and Urusov Gambit 3.d4 exd4 4. Nf3. The next picture is the Bishop's Opening Berlin Defense:
Moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6
Variation Name: Bishop's Opening Berlin Defense variation
ECO (Encyclopedia of Chess Openings) code: C24
Note. C24 starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6
• 20 Variations of the Bishop's Opening
Below are proven lines of the Bishop's Opening Berlin Defense (How to Play). The lines were proved by an opening book, by a big Bishop's Opening database, and by chess engine -- it shows who is better in pawns as follows: 0-0.50 equal; 0.51-1.00 slightly better; 1.01-1.50 better; 1.51 much better; + White; - Black. Examples: +1.27 (White is better as if White won 1.27 pawns by material). -0.64 (Black is slightly better as if Black won 0.64 pawns). +0.42 (position is equal).
II. How to Play Bishop Opening Berlin Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6
Best for White: 3.d3, 3.Nc3, 3.Nf3 (not bad 3.Qe2, 3.d4).
Also playable: 3.Qf3, rarely 3.f4 (with weak statistics for White).
Frequency: 3.d3 75%, 3.Nc3 10%, other moves less common.
Main variant according to chess master play of 2019.
• Main Variant via 3.d3
Bishop Opening Berlin Defense
The main line of the Bishop Opening in 2019:
3.d3 c6 4.Nf3 d5 5.Bb3 | Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 0-0
(Also popular in 2019: 5... a5 6.a4 Bb4+ 7.c3 Bd6 +0.20)
(Possible: 5.exd5 cxd5 6.Bb3 Bb4+ 7.c3 Bd6 +0.23)
(Possible: 4.Qe2 Be7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Bb3 d6 7.0-0 b5 +0.18)
Best lines to continue (by a chess engine):
8.exd5 cxd5 9.Nxe5 a5 10.a4 Nc6 11.f4 Re8 (=Equal, +0.42)
8.Nxe5 Qe7 9.f4 dxe4 10.d4 Be6 11.Nc3 Nbd7 (=Equal, +0.20)
• Second Variants via 3.Nc3 (3.d4, 3.Nf3)
Bishop Opening Berlin Defense
3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d3 Na5 5.Bb3 Nxb3 6.axb3 Bb4 7.Ne2 d5
(Possible: 3.d4 exd4 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Qxd4 Nf6 6.Bg5 Be7 -0.22)
(Possible: 3.Nf3 Nxe4 4.Nc3 Nxc3 5.dxc3 f6 6.Nh4 g6 -0.39)
Best lines to continue (by a chess engine):
8.0-0 dxe4 9.dxe4 0-0 10.Ng3 h6 (=Equal, +0.36)
8.exd5 Nxd5 9.0-0 0-0 10.Bd2 Bc5 (=Equal, +0.23)
• To the Main Page of the Bishop Opening | Lesson 22
Here on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com you have learned the Berlin Defense variation of the Bishop's Opening. The Bishop's Opening starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4, and the Berlin Defense runs as 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6. The Berlin Defense is the most common variation and the strongest answer of Black to the Bishop's Opening. The ECO code of this variation of the Bishop's Opening is C24. The main line of the Bishop's Opening runs via the Berlin Defense.
