Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3

ECO C65

The Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3.

It is catalogued under code C65 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move d3 is chosen by White on move 4.

5 named continuations branch from this position, including the Anderssen Variation and the Duras Variation.

Named variations

• Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Anderssen Variation — ECO C65
• Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Duras Variation — ECO C65
• Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Kaufmann Variation — ECO C65
• Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer Trap — ECO C65
• Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Mortimer Variation — ECO C65

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Opening Tricks Hall of Fame course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.