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Berlin Defence
The Berlin Defence is a chess opening that begins with the moves:
The opening is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is assigned codes C65–C67 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings. The code C65 covers White moves other than 4.0-0, such as 4.d3 (4.Nc3 is considered a variation of the Four Knights Game). The code C66 covers the variation 4.0-0 d6, and the code C67 covers the variation 4.0-0 Nxe4 (usually regarded as the main line of the Berlin Defence).
The opening was first analysed in depth in the 19th century, and received its name from the Berliners that examined its variations. Due to the defensive and drawish nature of the opening, it is sometimes referred to as the Berlin Wall. The opening was rarely used in high-level games and received little attention until the Classical World Chess Championship 2000, in which challenger Vladimir Kramnik used it as a drawing weapon against champion Garry Kasparov. Kramnik used the Berlin in games 1, 3, 9 and 13 in the match (each time as Black), all four of which were drawn. After losing the match, Kasparov cited Kramnik's superior opening preparation as a reason for his loss. In an interview with John Henderson, Kramnik described his use of the Berlin:
The Berlin Defence suited my strategy for the match. I had a defensive strategy – Actually, I had in my pocket some other sharper stuff to fall back on – but first I wanted to try the defensive strategy with Black and it worked so well. This was all new to Kasparov – he probably expected me to fight for equality with Black.
The 2000 match caused a resurgence of interest in the Berlin Defence at all levels of the game, such as its use by Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand in games 4, 6, 7 and 8 of the World Chess Championship 2013. It is now regarded as a solid opening for Black to use in order to achieve an equal endgame.
Black's third move attacks the e4-pawn. This is not an actual threat, however, since if Black captures on e4 then White can win back the e5-pawn.[page needed] Usually in the Berlin Defence, the players exchange queens early, causing the game to quickly enter an endgame. The resulting endgames are generally viewed as equal or very slightly favourable for White. Black has the disadvantage of doubled pawns and a king stuck in the centre, but has compensation in the form of the bishop pair. Strategically, the Berlin Defence is normally used as a drawing weapon by players who want to obtain a draw as Black, and by players who prefer to play defensively and reach endgames.
This is the most common move for White. White may safely castle as Black's third move does not truly threaten to win White's pawn on e4, as if Black captures it, White will always be able to win back the pawn on e5. Regardless, Black usually responds with 4...Nxe4, opening the game and leading to tactical complications. The alternatives 4...Bc5, 4...d6, and 4...Be7 (resembling the main line Morphy Defence without ...a6 and Ba5, often later transposing) are side lines.
This line usually continues 6...dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8, reaching what is called the Berlin endgame or Berlin Wall. It was famously played in all four Berlin games of the Classical World Chess Championship 2000 between Vladimir Kramnik and Garry Kasparov. Kramnik assessed the endgame as better for White, but argued that Black should be able to draw as White's advantage is insufficient to win, and successfully drew against the then reigning world champion in all four, to Kasparov's surprise.
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Berlin Defence
The Berlin Defence is a chess opening that begins with the moves:
The opening is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is assigned codes C65–C67 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings. The code C65 covers White moves other than 4.0-0, such as 4.d3 (4.Nc3 is considered a variation of the Four Knights Game). The code C66 covers the variation 4.0-0 d6, and the code C67 covers the variation 4.0-0 Nxe4 (usually regarded as the main line of the Berlin Defence).
The opening was first analysed in depth in the 19th century, and received its name from the Berliners that examined its variations. Due to the defensive and drawish nature of the opening, it is sometimes referred to as the Berlin Wall. The opening was rarely used in high-level games and received little attention until the Classical World Chess Championship 2000, in which challenger Vladimir Kramnik used it as a drawing weapon against champion Garry Kasparov. Kramnik used the Berlin in games 1, 3, 9 and 13 in the match (each time as Black), all four of which were drawn. After losing the match, Kasparov cited Kramnik's superior opening preparation as a reason for his loss. In an interview with John Henderson, Kramnik described his use of the Berlin:
The Berlin Defence suited my strategy for the match. I had a defensive strategy – Actually, I had in my pocket some other sharper stuff to fall back on – but first I wanted to try the defensive strategy with Black and it worked so well. This was all new to Kasparov – he probably expected me to fight for equality with Black.
The 2000 match caused a resurgence of interest in the Berlin Defence at all levels of the game, such as its use by Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand in games 4, 6, 7 and 8 of the World Chess Championship 2013. It is now regarded as a solid opening for Black to use in order to achieve an equal endgame.
Black's third move attacks the e4-pawn. This is not an actual threat, however, since if Black captures on e4 then White can win back the e5-pawn.[page needed] Usually in the Berlin Defence, the players exchange queens early, causing the game to quickly enter an endgame. The resulting endgames are generally viewed as equal or very slightly favourable for White. Black has the disadvantage of doubled pawns and a king stuck in the centre, but has compensation in the form of the bishop pair. Strategically, the Berlin Defence is normally used as a drawing weapon by players who want to obtain a draw as Black, and by players who prefer to play defensively and reach endgames.
This is the most common move for White. White may safely castle as Black's third move does not truly threaten to win White's pawn on e4, as if Black captures it, White will always be able to win back the pawn on e5. Regardless, Black usually responds with 4...Nxe4, opening the game and leading to tactical complications. The alternatives 4...Bc5, 4...d6, and 4...Be7 (resembling the main line Morphy Defence without ...a6 and Ba5, often later transposing) are side lines.
This line usually continues 6...dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8, reaching what is called the Berlin endgame or Berlin Wall. It was famously played in all four Berlin games of the Classical World Chess Championship 2000 between Vladimir Kramnik and Garry Kasparov. Kramnik assessed the endgame as better for White, but argued that Black should be able to draw as White's advantage is insufficient to win, and successfully drew against the then reigning world champion in all four, to Kasparov's surprise.