Berlin Defense

  

Berlin Defense


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Ilmars Cirulis    (2021-03-19)
Berlin Defense

Why do people keep playing Ruy Lopez if there's Berlin Defense that's drawish more than enough?

I still haven't lost a game in Berlin Defense as black.


Ilmars Cirulis    (2021-03-19 19:33:03)
Berlin Defense

Well, at least I don't remember any loss in long time control games. Maybe I should search my games to be 100% sure about it.


Thibault de Vassal    (2021-03-19 23:53:22)
Berlin Defense

Hmmm, it could be a nice thematic tournament soon :)

You're right actually! I searched games at FICGS, when white elo & black elo > 2300 there is no win for White since 2012 ! (and Black won regularly since then)

That's a good score for Berlin defense. To be continued.


Daniel Parmet    (2021-03-21 06:43:20)
Berlin Defense

I have 160 games in the Berlin Defense since 2007. My last loss was in 2013. I can tell you that most people avoid the Ruy with me or e4 all together.


Wilhelm Schuett    (2021-03-23 19:41:03)
Berlin Defense

i would try to win against the Berlin Wall


Wilhelm Schuett    (2021-03-26 18:23:14)
Berlin Defense

the Berlin Wall as a thematic tournament


Garvin Gray    (2021-04-02 06:08:44)
Berlin Defense

Before giving my thoughts on why white is still playing the Ruy Lopez given the drawing odds of the Berlin in correspondence chess, how many games and out of how many has black won with the Berlin?


Wilhelm Schuett    (2021-04-02 13:46:48)
Berlin Defense

i don't know. White could also play 4. Nc3 or 4. Qe2


Wilhelm Schuett    (2026-05-03 03:40:36)
Berlin Defense

Did we had Berlin Defence or the Berlin Wall as a thematic tournament?


Thibault de Vassal    (2026-05-11 23:38:32)
Berlin Defense

Yes, #12 #104 & #105


Ulises Pineda    (2026-05-13 10:25:32)
Berlin Defense

What else is there to play, though? If black tries to play the Berlin and you try to avoid it, it would have been best to avoid it with the Italian. The Italian remains a landmine to this day, with Stockfish at Depth 30 showing a white advantage and Depth 40 switching to a black one, in some positions, I'd be happy to play the Italian and become black instead of being white in the Berlin!

Against lower rated opposition, the Berlin is a nightmare, it's as if they have found a way to force a draw against you, but you're supposed to try to win as Black to prove your superior playing strength.

This all makes me want to abandon 1.e4 entirely, but I haven't found a convincing line for 1.d4 (to me the Ragozin is d4's Berlin), though I have the most wins with Nf3, I think, against creative players (those that avoid mainlines for fun) 1.e4 remains the best option, they will not defend with the Berlin.

It's a thing about not playing the board, but the opponent, one that wants to win as black will not play the Berlin, and then the Ruy Lopez is the best option.