Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation, Berlin Wall Defense
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.Bb5Nf6
- 4.O-ONxe4
- 5.d4Nd6
- 6.Bxc6dxc6
- 7.dxe5Nf5
- 8.Qxd8+Kxd8
2,182 games
The queenless Berlin endgame of the Ruy Lopez, where Black's bishop pair and solid structure offset White's kingside majority; a famous drawing line.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Berlin Wall Defense
Known as the Berlin endgame, this position arises once queens leave the board and the black king is stuck on d8. White owns a healthy kingside majority supported by the e5 pawn, while Black's doubled c-pawns are balanced by the bishop pair, which tends to grow stronger if White opens lines. Kramnik popularized it against Kasparov in their 2000 match, where it yielded four draws. The usual continuation is 9. Nc3, with 9. Rd1+ and 9. Bg5+ also played.