C65 Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defence

Black meets the Ruy Lopez with an immediate attack on e4: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6, the Berlin Defence. With 4.d3 White simply guards the pawn, keeping queens on and steering clear of the sharp main-line Berlin endgames. A common reply is 4...Bc5, aiming the bishop at f2 along the a7–g1 diagonal. After 5.c3 White prepares a later d4 to gain space and blunt that bishop, and Black usually castles with 5...O-O. The alternative 5.Bxc6 dxc6 gives up the bishop pair. Black gets doubled c-pawns but open lines for the pieces, while White aims at the e5 pawn and the healthier pawn structure.