Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Hedgehog Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O d6 5.d4 Bd7 6.Nc3 Be7

ECO C66

The Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Hedgehog Variation is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O d6 5.d4 Bd7 6.Nc3 Be7.

It is catalogued under code C66 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Be7 is chosen by Black on move 6.

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.