Chess OpensOpen the trainer
OpeningsExtensionBlogSupportOpen the trainer
1.Opening

Berlin Defense

You play BlackC67FortressAdvanced

The "Berlin Wall" that Kramnik used to dethrone Kasparov in 2000. Queens come off on move 8.

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 …

Learn it interactivelyPractice from memory
Berlin Endgame: position after 8 moves1h2g3f4e5d6c7b8a
Berlin Endgame: position after 8 moves
2.Ideas

What the opening is about

Key ideas

  1. ...Nf6 counterattacks e4 in the Ruy Lopez.
  2. In the endgame, Black's king stays in the center but the bishop pair compensates.
  3. Extremely hard for White to break down.
3.Main line

Main line · 16 moves

Berlin Endgame

Practice this line →
Your moves Opponent
No. White Black1
e4White grabs the center.
e5Black mirrors.
2
Nf3White attacks e5.
Nc6Defends e5.
3
Bb5The Ruy Lopez: White pressures the e5 defender.
Nf6The Berlin: counterattack e4 immediately.
After 3…Nf6
After 3…Nf6
No. White Black4
O-OWhite castles, ignoring the threat to e4.
Nxe4Black grabs the pawn while Re1 isn't there yet.
5
d4White opens the center, threatening Re1 and d5.
Nd6The knight retreats, hitting the b5 bishop.
6
Bxc6White trades.
dxc6Recaptures, opening the d-file and the c8 bishop.
After 6…dxc6
After 6…dxc6
No. White Black7
dxe5White regains the pawn and kicks the knight.
Nf5The knight retreats.
8
Qxd8+White trades queens.
Kxd8The Berlin Endgame: Black can't castle but has the bishop pair and a very solid position.
After 8…Kxd8
After 8…Kxd8
4.Play

Practice mode

Now play it without looking.

Practice mode hides the moves: you play Black, the trainer answers, and you earn up to three stars per line. 16 moves across 1 line.

Start practicing
5.More

More defenses against 1.e4