Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Closed Bernstein Variation

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense

Definition

The Berlin Defense is a counter-attacking reply to the Ruy Lopez that arises after the moves:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6.

Instead of the more popular 3…a6 (the Morphy Defense), Black immediately develops the king’s knight to f6, challenging White’s e4-pawn and preparing rapid kingside castling or, in many lines, an early queen trade leading to a famously resilient endgame.

How it is used in play

• Against 4. O-O. Black may choose the “open” Berlin (4…Nxe4) leading to the celebrated Berlin Endgame or the “closed” Berlin (4…Bc5 or other quiet moves) to keep more tension.
• Against Anti-Berlin setups. White can sidestep heavy theory with 4. d3, 4. Nc3 or 4. Qe2, but Black still obtains a solid, flexible position.
• The defense is popular at every time control, prized for its sound structure and drawing tendency at the top level while still leaving room for counter-chances.

Strategic themes

1. Endgame resilience. After an early queen exchange (the “Berlin Wall”), Black’s king on d8 may look awkward, but the minor-piece activity and ultra-solid pawn structure give excellent survival chances.
2. Piece activity over pawn structure. Both sides often tolerate doubled c-pawns (after Bxc6) in return for dynamic play.
3. Knight manœuvres. The characteristic journey …Nf6–e4–d6 and later …Nf5 or …Ne6 is a hallmark of many Berlin positions.

Historical significance

The line first became fashionable in the mid-19^th century (von der Lasa, Anderssen), but its modern renaissance is credited to Vladimir Kramnik, who used it as a drawing weapon to dethrone Garry Kasparov in the 2000 World Championship match. Since then, the “Berlin Wall” has been a cornerstone of elite repertoires, employed by Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, Fabiano Caruana and many others.

Illustrative game

Kramnik vs. Kasparov, World Championship (Game 10), London 2000. Kramnik neutralised Kasparov’s Spanish pressure with the Berlin Endgame and held a comfortable draw, underscoring the line’s solidity.

Interesting facts

• The Berlin is nicknamed the “Spanish Torture” for both sides—White struggles to break down Black’s wall, while Black must defend accurately for many moves.
• Engines once underestimated the endgame ending after 8.Qxd8+, but modern table-bases and neural networks confirm its toughness.
• Because of its reputation, some elite tournaments banned the Berlin for thematic events to encourage sharper play!

Typical move-order example

Open Berlin main line (queen trade):

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Closed Bernstein Variation

Definition

The Closed Bernstein Variation is a sub-line of the Berlin Defense in which White declines the standard queen exchange and instead plays the prophylactic queen move 8. Qe2, keeping more pieces on the board:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qe2 (C67-C67b in ECO).

Origins and name

The line is named after the great Russian-Polish grandmaster Ossip Bernstein (1882–1962), who employed the idea of Qe2 in several early-20^th-century games to avoid the heavy Berlin endgame and maintain attacking chances.

Goals and strategic ideas

• Keeping queens on the board. By sidestepping 8.Qxd8+, White preserves middlegame complexity and hopes to exploit Black’s slightly awkward piece placement.
• e-file pressure. After 8…Be7 (or 8…h6) 9. Rd1, White lines up on the semi-open e-file, sometimes preparing Nc3, Bf4 or even g4.
• Flexible pawn structure. White may castle queenside in some lines, leading to opposite-side attacks uncharacteristic of most Berlin systems.
• Central tension. The pawn on e5 cramps Black; Black aims for …Be7, …Ke8, …h5/h4 or …g5 to equalise.

Theory snapshot (main branch)

1. …Be7 8…Be7 is almost universal—developing, guarding f6 and preparing 0-0-0 or the king walk to e8.
2. 11.Nc3 0-0 After 9.Rd1 0-0 10.Nc3, the position is balanced; White pushes for c2-c4 or h2-h3-g4, Black counters with …Re8 and a timely …f6 or …h5.
3. Endgame transposition If queens eventually come off, the structure often resembles the traditional Berlin Endgame, but with slightly improved pieces for both sides.

Sample miniature

Bernstein vs. Alekhine, Saint Petersburg 1912 (notes abridged):

Bernstein kept the queens, built pressure on e5 and d5 and eventually out-manoeuvred the young Alekhine, demonstrating the variation’s practical venom.

Modern practice

Although less common than the endgame-oriented 8.Qxd8+, the Bernstein Variation remains a surprise weapon at top level. Notable recent encounters include:

• Carlsen vs. So, Altibox Norway 2018 – draw after 75 moves; So’s accurate …h5-h4 neutralised White’s kingside ambitions.
• Firouzja vs. Caruana, Paris GCT Blitz 2021 – White’s g-pawn storm broke through when Black delayed …h6.

Practical tips

• For White: Do not rush g2-g4; first over-protect e5 and coordinate rooks. A timely c2-c4 can force concessions.
• For Black: The manoeuvre …Bf8–e7–f8–g7 combined with …h5 is a reliable way to blunt White’s space. Calculate the …Qe8–Qe6 resource to exchange queens on your terms.

Trivia

• Because it keeps the game “closed” compared with the immediate queen swap, the variation is sometimes marketed in repertoire books as the “Anti-Berlin Endgame.”
• Chess-able statistics show that club players score slightly higher with 8.Qe2 than with 8.Qxd8+, thanks to the increased chances for unbalanced play.
• After the 2013 Candidates Tournament, a Twitter poll dubbed 8.Qe2 the “Carlseniser” when Magnus used it five times in rapid play, scoring +3 =2.