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The Berlin Defence is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bb5 Nf6

The opening is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is assigned codes C65–C67 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings.^[1] 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).^[2]

The opening was first analysed in depth in the 19th century, and received its name from the Berliners that examined its variations.^[3] Due to the defensive and drawish nature of the opening, it is sometimes referred to as the Berlin Wall.^[4] The opening was rarely used in high-level games^[5] 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.^[6] After losing the match, Kasparov cited Kramnik’s superior opening preparation as a reason for his loss.^[7] 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.^[7]

The 2000 match caused a resurgence of interest in the Berlin Defence at all levels of the game,^[8] 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.^{[9][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.^[2] 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.^[7]

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Main line after 8…Kxd8: Berlin endgame

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.^[10] 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,^[7] and successfully drew against the then reigning world champion in all four, to Kasparov’s surprise.

Similarly to the Semi-Tarrasch Defence, the queens are exchanged off the board early, leading to a position that is difficult for White to win.^[4] Black’s king is misplaced and White has a pawn majority on the kingside, but has given up the bishop pair in exchange. It is difficult for White to exploit the structural superiority without opening the game for Black’s bishops. Despite the line’s drawish tendency, it is considered to be the sternest test (perhaps along with 5.Re1) of the entire Berlin Defence and is extensively analyzed. The modern consensus is that Black can hold the endgame with accurate play.

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Position after 14…Qd6. The game ends here as a draw due to threefold repetition.

A line colloquially known as the Berlin draw is often utilized by top-level players to agree to an early draw: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0-0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.dxe5 Nxb5 7.a4 Nbd4 8.Nxd4 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 d5 10.exd6 e.p. Qxd6 11.Qe4+ Qe6 12.Qd4 Qd6 13.Qe4+ Qe6 14.Qd4 Qd6, with the game ending in a threefold repetition draw claim on move 14, or soon after. Black also has the alternative moves 7…d6 and 8…d5.

The line is not a forcing draw if White does not play 10.exd6 e.p., although White has little to no advantage and it is generally considered that there are better ways to play for advantage in the Berlin. This line was featured in the game Erigaisi–Gukesh, Wijk aan Zee, 2023, seen here. After en passant, both sides do have nothing better to do than repeat and draw.

Ian Nepomniachtchi utilized this line against Nakamura in Round 12 of the Candidates Tournament 2022, forcing a quick draw by repetition. With two rounds remaining in the tournament, the draw extended Nepomniachtchi’s lead in the tournament while Nakamura found the result acceptable to keep his second place position. Thus, both players benefited from the draw in light of the incumbent World Champion Magnus Carlsen‘s suggestion that he would not play another World Championship match, leaving the match to the first and second place finishers of the Candidates. During the World Blitz Chess Championship 2022, a match between Richárd Rapport and Nakamura with Black ended in a Berlin Draw that took just 36 seconds from first move to the threefold repetition. It would have taken just 20 seconds if not for Rapport spending 16 seconds deciding whether to enter the drawing line.

This is Black’s main alternative to 5…Nd6, and has been called the Rio de Janeiro Variation. It typically continues 6.Qe2 Nd6 7.Bxc6 bxc6 8.dxe5, followed by 8…Nb7 or 8…Nf5. Other common lines include 6.dxe5 0-0, the Minckwitz Variation; 6.Re1 Nd6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Bxc6 dxc6 (or 7.Bxc6 dxc6 8.dxe5 Nf5) 9.Qxd8+ Bxd8; and 6.d5 Nd6.

White can also continue with this line, which is also very drawish, but is analysed as marginally better for White than the 5.d4. Play usually continues 5…Nd6 6.Nxe5 Be7 7.Bf1 Nxe5 8.Rxe5 0-0 9.d4 Bf6 10.Re1, leading to a position where all of White’s pieces are still on the first rank.

• 6.Ba4 and 6.Bg5 are alternatives for White after 5…Nd6.
• 5…a6 is another option for Black, either continuing 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.Qe2 Bg5 (or 7.Re1 Nf6).

White usually responds with either 5.c3 or 5.Nxe5. 5.d3 transposes to the Anti-Berlin main line.

This usually continues with 5…0-0 6.d4 Bb6, followed by 7.Bg5 h6 (or 7…d6) 8.Bh4 d6, 7.Re1, or 7.dxe5.

This usually continues with either 5…Nxe4 6.Qe2 Nxe5 7.Qxe4 Qe7 or 5…Nxe5 6.d4 a6.

Black defends the pawn on e5. It is also known as the Improved Steinitz Defence. White typically responds with 5.d4, opening the game, or 5.Re1. It is regarded as playable but passive.^[2]

This most often continues 5…Bd7 6.Nc3 Be7. The main alternative line is 5…exd4 6.Nxd4 Bd7, adding a defender to the doubly attacked knight on c6. White’s most common move is 7.Nc3, which transposes to the Four Knights Game, Spanish Variation.

In this line, Black usually plays …Bd7, …Be7, and …0-0 in some order, leaving Black with a solid but relatively passive defensive setup.

Because many players wish to avoid the lines following 4.0-0 Nxe4, 4.d3 has gradually become the most common move. It is often known as the Anti-Berlin.^[11] Preventing Nxe4 keeps the game closed and sidesteps the traditional Berlin endgame. Black typically responds 4…Bc5 or less commonly 4…d6. 4…Ne7 is the Mortimer Trap, which wins a piece if White plays 5.Nxe5,^[12] but is regarded as an inferior move because it loses time by moving the same piece twice.

White most often responds with 5.c3, typically continuing 5…0-0 6.0-0 and then 6…d6, 6…Re8, or 6…d5. Black may also play 5…d6 or 5…Nd4, which usually continues 6.Nxd4 Bxd4 7.c3. 5.Bxc6 and 5.0-0 (often transposing to the 5.c3 line after 5…0-0 6.c3) are White’s main alternative moves.

• 4…d6 is a common alternative. Black intends to place the bishop on e7 instead of c5. White’s most common replies are 5.0-0 and 5.c3. 5.c4 is the aggressive but risky Duras Variation.
• 4…Ne7?! the Mortimer Variation, sets a trap. If 5.Nxe5? c6 and White must lose a piece. If 6.Bc4 Qa5+, and if 6.Nc4 d6! (not 6…cxb5?? 7.Nd6#) 7.Ba4 b5. Simply 5.0-0 is good for White.^[13]

• 4.Nc3 transposes to the Four Knights Game, Spanish Variation.
• 4.Qe2 defends both the bishop on b5 and the pawn on e4. It usually continues 4…Bc5, or alternatively 4…d6, 4…a6, 4…Bd6, or 4…Be7.
• 4.d4 usually continues 4…exd4 5.0-0, the Nyholm Attack, or 5.e5 Ne4 6.0-0.