Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C65), reached after 7 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3.

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Continue from this position

3 replies continue into sub-variations from this position. Click any to drill deeper.

4…d6 2 lines
- C65 Anderssen Variation
- C65 Duras Variation
4…Ne7 2 lines
- C65 Mortimer Trap
- C65 Mortimer Variation
4…Bc5 1 line
- C65 Kaufmann Variation

About this opening

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C65. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 7 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3.

It belongs to the Ruy Lopez family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Berlin Defense → Anti-Berlin Variation line). The immediate parent line is Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, transitioned via 4.d3.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6, 3.Bb5 Nf6, 4.d3. From this position 3 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.