The Berlin Defense

The Berlin Defense has been described by Gotham Chess as "The Opening That Killed Chess."

Some think it was invented by Vladimir Kramnik, for his 2000 World Championship Match vs. Garry Kasparov.

Some remember it being championed for decades by the late GM Arthur Bisguier.

Looking back at history, it was played in Game 4 of the first "official" World Championship Match, won by Wilhelm Steinitz over Johannes Zukertort, in 1886. Steinitz was White:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0–0 Nxe4 5.Re1 Nd6 6.Nxe5 Nxe5 7.Rxe5+ Be7 8.Bf1 0–0 9.d4 Bf6 10.Re1 Re8 11.c3 Rxe1 12.Qxe1 Nf5 13.Bf4 d6 14.Nd2 Be6 15.Bd3 Nh4 16.Ne4 Ng6 17.Bd2 d5 18.Nc5 Bc8 19.Qe3 b6 20.Nb3 Qd6 21.Qe8+ Nf8 22.Re1 Bb7 23.Qe3 Ne6 24.Qf3 Rd8 25.Qf5 Nf8 26.Bf4 Qc6 27.Nd2 Bc8 28.Qh5 g6 29.Qe2 Ne6 30.Bg3 Qb7 31.Nf3 c5 32.dxc5 bxc5 33.Ne5 c4 34.Bb1 Bg7 35.Rd1 Bd7 36.Qf3 Be8 37.Nxc4?? (It appears that Steinitz thought that ...dxc4 would allow him to win W's Q, but the threat of mate does not allow it.) dxc4 38.Rxd8 Nxd8 39.Qe2 Ne6 0–1

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship_1886

It would be played 8 times in this match.

In the last two Berlin games, Steinitz opted for 4. d3.

What was old and forgotten, is new once again. White did not head for the 'Berlin Endgame' (5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8). The computers seem to bless this simple approach, almost 140 years later.

(Stockfish also rates the Exchange French about as good as Nc3, Nd2 and e5. If you want a "Death of Chess" Opening, look no further.)

https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/berlin.html

I have long wondered where it got its name. I guess the above link has the definitive answer.

A very interesting journey, for such an opening. Played in a World Championship Match in 1886, and then again 114 years later.

Nice

This is the Berlin

this is why you shouldn’t play the ruy lopez lol

you can just play d3 and continue with your life

still worse for white

not if you have a brain

If it’s worse for white then why is it seen on Super GM level a lot?

https://www.chess.com/blog/1cbb/3-most-memorable-berlin-draw-games

It only ruins chess for top level because only in top level do people have to worry about the very likely chance of losing as black if they didn't go for Berlin draw

Judit Polgar had her famous win against Kasparov (with the white pieces) when he played the Berlin against her.

Also Gotham is trash. Join our gang.

https://www.chess.com/club/antigothamcult

You know what the true death of chess is? The london. Gone are the days of a Nimzo Indian or Budapest. Now you have to suffer in a boring position.

Do this vs the london

I've also found a game where Magnus Carlsen played the Berlin endgame with white against Levon Aronian in an otb rapid game and lost