Open Berlin Defense, Showalter Variation
- 1.e4e5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.Bb5Nf6
- 4.O-ONxe4
- 5.d4Nd6
- 6.Ba4
153 games
A Berlin Defense line in which White retreats the attacked bishop to a4, avoiding the Berlin Wall endgame; theory and engines consider it level.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Showalter Variation
The Showalter Variation arises when White answers 5...Nd6 by retreating with 6. Ba4, avoiding both the Berlin Wall endgame after 6. Bxc6 and the mass exchanges following 6. dxe5. Black chooses between capturing with 6...exd4 and advancing 6...e4, where the knight on d6 protects the pawn. Both are considered equal, and the engine agrees, although Black has scored heavily in the relatively few recorded games.