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The Berlin Defence is logical and solid, although it can be hard for Black to generate winning chances. Arthur Bisguier played this line for decades, and it was later taken up by Alexei Shirov and other young grandmasters. Vladimir Kramnik used the Berlin Defence as a drawing variation against Garry Kasparov in their 2000 World Championship match.

After 4.0-0, Black can play either the solid 4...Nxe4 or the more combative 4...Bc5. After 4...Nxe4 5.d4 (5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 is also reasonable) Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ (8.Qe2?! Nd4! 9.Nxd4 Qxd4 favors Black. After 10.Rd1, Bg4!? 11.Rxd4 Bxe2 gives Black a pleasant endgame.) Kxd8 White is usually considered to have a small advantage in light of his somewhat better pawn structure and Black's awkwardly placed king, but Black, with a solid position and the bishop pair, has excellent drawing chances.

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Contributors : Julien Baudement, Tim Bredernitz, Thibault de Vassal

[ECO "C65"] [Opening "Ruy Lopez"] [Variation "Berlin defense"]

O-O : 1060 games, White ELO av : 1918, Black ELO av : 1911
1-0 : 33.4% , 1/2-1/2 : 44.5% , 0-1 : 22%

d3 : 402 games, White ELO av : 2085, Black ELO av : 2078
1-0 : 18.9% , 1/2-1/2 : 60.7% , 0-1 : 20.4%

Nc3 : 90 games, White ELO av : 1744, Black ELO av : 1786
1-0 : 32.2% , 1/2-1/2 : 31% , 0-1 : 36.8%

Bxc6 : 64 games, White ELO av : 1328, Black ELO av : 1363
1-0 : 46.9% , 1/2-1/2 : 6.3% , 0-1 : 46.9%

Qe2 : 13 games, White ELO av : 1757, Black ELO av : 1788
1-0 : 30.8% , 1/2-1/2 : 30.8% , 0-1 : 38.5%

d4 : 9 games, White ELO av : 1693, Black ELO av : 1712
1-0 : 22.2% , 1/2-1/2 : 33.3% , 0-1 : 44.4%

c3 : 2 games, White ELO av : 1209, Black ELO av : 1304
1-0 : 50% , 1/2-1/2 : 0% , 0-1 : 50%

Nxe5 : 1 game, White ELO av : 1900, Black ELO av : 2159
1-0 : 0% , 1/2-1/2 : 0% , 0-1 : 100%

h3 : 1 game, White ELO av : 1281, Black ELO av : 1389
1-0 : 100% , 1/2-1/2 : 0% , 0-1 : 0%

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