Openings · plays Black

The Berlin Defence

3...Nf6: the Berlin Wall. Enter the celebrated queenless endgame a pawn-structure ahead in solidity, or hold the Anti-Berlin with easy equality. The choice of champions who refuse to lose.

Step through the main line

The lines

The Berlin Endgame

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Nc3 Ke8

The Anti-Berlin (4.d3 Bc5)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. O-O d6 7. Nbd2 a6 8. Ba4 Ba7

The Anti-Berlin (4.d3 d6)

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 d6 5. c3 g6 6. O-O Bg7 7. Re1 O-O 8. Nbd2 Nd7

How this guide is made: the lines and explanations come from the authored Strong Squares repertoire curriculum. Automated checks verify legal move sequences and required teaching fields. Independent chess-editor approval remains a private-preview release gate. Read the teaching method.