Theoria
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Ruy Lopez

Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap

C66tacticaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nc6
  3. 3.Bb5d6
  4. 4.d4Bd7
  5. 5.Nc3Nf6
  6. 6.O-OBe7
  7. 7.Re1O-O
192 games55%38%

A Ruy Lopez position where Black castles too early in the Steinitz Defense setup with ...Nf6 and ...Be7, letting White win material by force.

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About the Tarrasch Trap

The position arises from the Steinitz Defense, 3...d6, and is filed under the Berlin by transposition. After 7. Re1, Black has to concede the center with 7...exd4. Castling with 7...O-O instead leaves the e5-pawn insufficiently defended. The pin on the c6-knight lets White exploit this, and the engine gives White a clear advantage. The most common reply, 8. Bxc6, eliminates a defender of e5 and scores well for White, while 8. dxe5 and 8. d5 are also seen.

Popular continuations