Ruy Lopez Opening Berlin lHermet Berlin Wall Defense
Ruy Lopez Opening
Definition
The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Opening, arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. It is one of the oldest and most respected chess openings, named after the 16-century Spanish priest Ruy López de Segura, who analyzed it in his 1561 treatise.
Typical Move Order
Main line (Closed Ruy Lopez): 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3.
Strategic Ideas
- White attacks the e5-pawn while preparing to build a broad centre with d2-d4.
- Black usually maintains the pawn on e5 but must decide whether to chase the bishop with …a6 and …b5.
- The bishop on b5 (later often a4 or c2) exerts long-term pressure on the knight at c6, which supports the e5-pawn.
- The opening offers a rich variety of plans: slow manoeuvring in the Closed lines, tactical complications in the Open and Marshall lines, and early endgames in the Berlin Defence.
Historical Significance
The Ruy Lopez has been played in every World Championship match since Steinitz–Zukertort 1886. Its theory has grown continuously, producing entire ECO chapters (C60–C99). Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov made legendary contributions to its Closed variations, while Bobby Fischer’s 1972 victory over Boris Spassky (Game 6) is regarded as one of the most beautiful Ruy Lopez demonstrations ever.
Representative Game
Fischer–Spassky, World Championship 1972, Game 6: Fischer adopted the Exchange Variation (3…a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Bxc6) and produced a positional masterpiece that stunned the chess world.
.Interesting Facts
- Ruy López himself thought 3.Bb5 was only a way to punish “inferior” second moves from Black; he preferred 3.d4.
- Nearly every modern engine places the Ruy Lopez among the top three scoring openings for White after 1.e4.
Berlin Defense
Definition
The Berlin Defense is a reply to the Ruy Lopez beginning with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6. It is coded C65–C67 in ECO.
Main Variations
- Open (Endgame) Line: 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8. Queens come off and Black accepts a slightly passive but very solid ending.
- 4.d3 Anti-Open Line: White sidesteps the endgame and keeps more tension.
- 4.O-O Bc5 (Becker): Black declines the pawn and enters a more dynamic setup.
Strategic Themes
- Fast development and king safety (…O-O, …Re8) are prioritised over maintaining the e-pawn with …d6.
- The Open line famously yields an endgame where White enjoys the bishop pair and a healthier pawn structure, while Black counts on an extra pawn, a rock-solid wall of pawns on f7-e6-c6, and the activity of the king.
- Piece manoeuvring (Ne2-g3, Bc1-g5, h2-h3-g4 for White; …Bc8-e6-d5, …Ke8-d7-e6 for Black) is central.
Historical Moment – “The Berlin Wall”
The opening was played sporadically in the 19th century (Lasker, Steinitz) but exploded in popularity after Vladimir Kramnik used it in his 2000 World Championship victory over Garry Kasparov. Kasparov, unable to crack the “Berlin Wall,” failed to win a single game with White.
Illustrative Game
Kramnik–Kasparov, World Championship 2000 (Game 1):
. The quiet endgame set the tone for the match.Interesting Facts
- Engines evaluate the Berlin Endgame at roughly equal (≈ 0.00), yet practical results favour Black, underlining its drawish reputation at elite level.
- Magnus Carlsen has incorporated both sides of the Berlin into his repertoire, citing its “pure chess” character.
l’Hermet Variation (Ruy Lopez)
Definition
The l’Hermet Variation occurs after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Be7 (ECO C60). By interposing …Be7 instead of the popular …a6 or …Nf6, Black immediately shields the knight on g8 from a potential pin and adopts a flexible stance.
Strategic Purpose
- Black keeps castling options open (…Nf6, …Nf6, …O-O) while waiting to decide on …a6.
- White gains more freedom in the centre but loses some of the usual targets (the pinned knight on c6, the e5-pawn after Nxe5 tricks).
- The line often transposes: after 4.O-O Nf6 5.d3 d6 we may arrive in a Classical (Closed) Spanish setup; after 4.d4 exd4 5.O-O Nf6 it can resemble an Open variation.
Historical Notes
Named for the 19th-century French player Pierre l’Hermet, this sideline has never achieved mainstream status but remains a useful surprise weapon. It appeared in the games of Mikhail Chigorin and more recently in rapid and blitz events where its practical value is higher.
Example Sequence
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Be7 4.O-O Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.e5 Nd5 7.Nxd4 O-O leads to a lively middlegame where both sides have chances.
Interesting Tidbits
- The move 3…Be7 violates the traditional opening principle of “putting your bishop outside the pawn chain before playing …e6/…d6,” yet in the Ruy Lopez it is perfectly sound.
- Because it avoids early theoretical land-mines, the l’Hermet can be a practical answer against well-prepared opponents.
Berlin Wall Defense
Definition
“Berlin Wall” is the popular nickname for the solid, queen-less endgame that arises from the Open Berlin Defense of the Ruy Lopez after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8.
How the “Wall” Works
- Black’s king, already on d8, functions as a fighting piece, guarding the queenside pawns and supporting …Ke8–e8–e6 later.
- The pawn structure f7-e6-c6-c7 resembles a fortified barrier—hence the term “wall.”
- White possesses the bishop pair and a healthier structure but must prove an advantage in a simplified position where chances for attack are minimal.
Strategic Guide
- White Plans
- Activate the bishops: Bc1-g5, Bf1-e2-g4 or to f4.
- Create targets with h3-g4, c2-c4, or sometimes sacrifice a pawn with e6 to open lines.
- Centralise the king (Kg1-h2-g3-f4).
- Black Plans
- Complete development: …Ke8-e8-e6, …Be7, …h6, …g5.
- Exchange one bishop to ease the space disadvantage (…Bf8-e7-g5).
- Look for counter-play on the kingside with …g5 or on the queenside with …a5-a4.
Historic Impact
The “Berlin Wall” became world-famous in the Kramnik–Kasparov, World Championship 2000 match, where Kasparov’s vaunted attacking style was neutralised. Subsequent elite players—Topalov, Anand, Carlsen—adopted the Wall, making it arguably the most important drawing weapon against 1.e4 at the highest level.
Illustrative Mini-Position
After 13.Re1 Ke8 (a common tabiya) almost every piece is on its ideal square, and both sides begin a long manoeuvring battle.
.Interesting Facts
- The first recorded appearance of the Berlin Wall endgame dates back to Adolf Anderssen in 1851—long before its modern fame.
- Despite its drawish aura, the Wall is not risk-free; Black must know precise manoeuvres, as a single inaccuracy can allow the bishops to dominate.