Ruy Lopez: Open, Berger Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.a4 Nxd4 9.Nxd4 exd4 10.Nc3

ECO C80

The Ruy Lopez: Open, Berger Variation is a chess opening line in the Ruy Lopez complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.a4 Nxd4 9.Nxd4 exd4 10.Nc3.

It is catalogued under code C80 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nc3 is chosen by White on move 10.

The Ruy Lopez: Open, Berger Variation is a line of the Ruy Lopez. The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Game, is a chess opening that begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. Read the complete Ruy Lopez guide: what it is, how to reach it, its main variations, how to play against it, and its history.

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Marshall Attack 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.