Berlin Defence-d3 or 0-0?

  The Berlin Defence is a variation of the Ruy Lopez that arises from the moves 1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6. It gives Black a solid position and rapid development, which often allows Black to draw easily, or win if White overextends his attack. Great energy from both sides is needed to pull the game from a series of passive positions.

  A notable use of the Berlin Defence(also known as the "Berlin Wall" for its frustratingly passive positions in which neither side can attack) was by Vladimir Kramnik in his World Championship match with Kasparov, which he won. 

  The Berlin Defence is not unlike the Petroff Defence in that it often leads to draws and is a "safe and sound" opening.

  Now that I've given you some basic history about the Berlin Defence, I want to ask you:how would your respond as White? I personally prefer the move d3, defending the e4 pawn, but Super-GM Nigel Short preferred to castle, trying to out-develop Black through a pawn sacrifice.

  I'm not that comfortable with gambits(the Queen's and King's gambits are exceptions as White can easily regain the gambited pawn) so I prefer d3, reinforcing my centre pawn.

  Nc3 has also been suggested, defending the centre pawn and developing the piece while keeping the pawn structure solid. I haven't experimented with this move yet, but d3 works for me, though I often have to play very forcing moves, like f4, to blast open the centre and create an open game, which I'm more comfortable with and which makes it easier to overcome Black's defence.

Where's the gambit?

In my opinion d3 is a slow move, 0-0 is the best move in my opinion, but d4 or Qe2 are good moves too.

If you want to play d4 -->

If you want to play Qe2 -->

I hope you enjoy it!

I personally think people overate the berlin endgames abililitity to draw. After all, white does have a slight advantage. Ivanchuck-Nakamura is a good example. But d3 is a good move too.

If you want to learn all the theory, play the main line berlin wall but if you're not a fan of memorisation and all this, play d3 and you will have a fine game.

I think it was Aronian who said he plays the Marshall when he wants to draw and the Berlin to win

I didnt think there was much theory in the berlin endgame althought the 40% draw rate is pretty good. I dont think its play for a win material.  d3 is a good way to avoid the berlin wall and it leads to pretty good games for both sides.

Well, I tried an OTB game using the 0-0 variation of the Berlin Defence, instead of d3, and I drawed. No matter how fierce my attack seemed to be, the guy could easily defend. I'm not sure how much of this is due to the Defence itself and how much of this is due to the fact that my opponent was a noted defending player amongst my club-mates.

I think(and this is my personal opinion) that while d3 may be passive, it pays off in the long run as your position will be just as solid as his. On the other hand, d4 is an interesting try and worth a shot(or at least intensive analysis).

By "theory" I meant memorizing moves not how to play the endgame

where can i find this book sounds like a must read

Knight098 wrote:

I personally think people overate the berlin endgames abililitity to draw. After all, white does have a slight advantage. Ivanchuck-Nakamura is a good example. But d3 is a good move too.

Black van also play for a win. Levon Aronian uses the berlin defence when he is playing for a win!

d3 is good enough, it gives white lots of ways, you can still play positional and peaceful game, prepare attack or whatever.

Qe2 is also very good move (not strong, but good).

it is not point to make general rule about any opening, same goes for berlin, it is just about to know it to play better than your opponent or to see the ways which your opponent does not see so clear....that s why Kramnik is so good in some "stupid" openings

What is concerning in the king's gambit in my opinion is not so much the pawn, but the loss of king safety. I feel uncomfortable playing the king's gambit, but I adore the flowing attack of the Smith-Morra, where I am down a pawn but have a much safer king.

In the 4d3 Berlin, how is 7.b4 after 6.0_0 Qd6?

Is that a known line? I've tried it with a double pawn sacrifice and managed to get some good game. But am not sure.

@Pinaki_391 this thread is kind of dead but your suggestion of 7. b4 (I assume after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Bxc6 exc6 6. 0-0 Qd6) is fascinating. It's sort of in the spirit of an Evan's Gambit. after 7... Bxb4 8. c3 Ba5 9. Ba3 Qe6 you can indeed sacrifice another pawn with 10. Nbd2 and after 10... Bxc3 10. Rc1! Bxd2 11. Qxd2 black must waste several moves to castle, during which white can mount an attack with Ng5 and f4! This is an amazing discovery! The only issue is that people normally don't play 6... Qd6, it's more common to see Nd7 or Qe7.