Berlin Defense, Closed Showalter Variation

This line comes from the Improved Steinitz setup of the Berlin Defense. Black holds e5 with 4...d6, 5...Bd7 and 6...Be7 rather than surrendering the center. White replies 7. Bxc6, eliminating the knight that guards e5 and conceding the bishop pair to sharpen the pressure on that pawn. Black most often recaptures with 7...Bxc6 and less often with 7...bxc6. The line is rarely played. The engine gives White a slight edge, and White scores well in practice.