The Berlin Defense: An Overview for Black

Also known as the Berlin Wall, the Berlin Defense is one of the most solid openings in chess. Make use of this article to learn the opening that Kramnik used to take Kasparov's world champion title.

Part 1: 4. 0-0 Variation. 

Familiarize yourself with the Berlin Defense by taking the time to review the big picture. 


Part 2: 4. 0-0 Variation, Critical Position. 

Here we look at the strategical aspects of the critical position (after 8 ... Kxd8). 

White will win the game in one of two ways: 
1. By gaining the initiative (e.g., opening up the center by sacing a pawn) and capitalizing on it. 
2. By calculated exchanges and slowly creating a passed pawn. 

Black will win the game in only one way: 
1. By blockading and then playing against the White pawn majority. 

Part 3: 4. d3 Variation.

The most popular reply among the elite. 

The Smith-Morra Gambit: An Introduction

After 4. Nxc3 (the starting position of the Smith-Morra Gambit):

• White's position is free--his pieces can come to active and natural squares. 
• White's has a strong e-pawn and has control over the d5-square. Combined, this gives him a strong center. 
• Black will not have an easy time developing actively. 
• In the Sicilian, Black uses the semi-open c-file to create play. But in the Smith-Morra Gambit, the c-file is open (there is no White c-pawn) and Black will have a harder time creating counter-play. White will make use of the open c-file. 

After 8. Qe2!:

• Key move. The plan is to play 9. Rd1 and then develop the c1-bishop to f4 (sometimes to g5 or e3). This set-up puts pressure on Black's weakest point: the d6-pawn. Note: This set-up is common, but there are instances where this set-up is not a correct course of action.  
• White has plans of playing the e4-e5 break.

After 9 ... Qc7:

• Black moves to c7 because White has plans of playing the e4-e5 break. 
• The Queen now controls the important e5-square. 

 After 10. Bf4!:

•  More pressure on d6.

 After 15. Rc7!:

• The threat is to play Qc4 or Rdc1 and win the c8-bishop. 

Conclusion:

One important reason to consider studying the Smith-Morra Gambit is that not many 1 ... c5 players will prepare for it as they will be studying the overwhelming amount of theory that the Sicilian Defense has. In other words, you will be familiar with the ideas of the Smith-Morra Gambit and your opponent will not. For the attacking player or the tactician, the Smith-Morra is a dream to play.

Important Notes:

• White is a pawn down and should play aggressively. The idea is not to give your opponent time to consolidate.  Of course, there are exceptions to every rule.
• Theory is important. It is important to know how to deal with different Black set-ups because against the unprepared player (which will be many), this will mean easy wins. 
• It is important to be able to calculate long variations accurately. The Smith-Morra Gambit will improve this ability. 

Common Motifs:

• The e4-e5 advance. 
• The Knight sacrifice on d5. 
• The piece sacrifice on b5.  

The following games represent these ideas in the order listed.

King's Indian Defense: The Main Lines

                   The first two diagrams represent the Classical Variation (one with 7. 0-0 and the other without 0-0). The third diagram is the Samisch Variation (5. f3). The fourth diagram is the Fianchetto Variation (4. g3) and the fifth diagram is the Four Pawns Attack (5. f4).

Ruy Lopez Exchange: Theory and Main Lines

A few years back I wrote an article about the Bobby Fischer's success playing the Ruy Lopez Exchange. Click here to see that article!

White's Strategy:

• Reduce material and transpose into an advantageous ending. 

Reach the following pawn structure:



The pawn structure guarantees White an easy victory because White can obtain a passed pawn on the kingside but Black cannot do the same on the queenside (his c-pawns are doubled!). 

Black's Strategy:

• After White plays d4, Black will need to exchange queens to prevent trouble. But he should prevent further reduction of material.
• Maintain the bishop pair and open the position so that the bishops become more powerful. 
• Keep in mind the idea of attacking the e4-pawn. 
• Try to take advantage of the extra pawn on the queenside. He can gain extra space and sometimes create weaknesses for White here. 

 5 ... Ne7 [Not too popular, but very interesting and sharp. This is Magnus Carlsen's move!]




5 ... Qe7 [Smyslov made this move popular in the 1970s. Idea is to protect the e-pawn--duh!--and he wants to play Bg4. The overall plan also includes f6, g5, Nh6, and 0-0-0. This is a move worth exploring.]




5 ... Bg4 [A good starting point is to memorize the main line.] 




5 ... Bd6 [Goes back to the 19th century. Natural move that allows for natural development.] 

 
5 ... Qd6 [David Bronstein's idea from 1965. Has been popular since then. At d6, the queen defends e5, develops his queen, and prepares to castle long. According to Panczyk's & Ilczuk's book: "Black obtains an interesting dynamic middlegame, as transposing into an ending doesn't give White many chances of obtaining an advantage." That latter feature is unique to the Exchange. Both sides can fight for the win. The idea of 6. Na3 is to play Nc4, threatening to win the pawn and the queen. Black's next move makes perfect sense.] 


 


5 ... Qf6 [Black defends the pawn without blocking the dark-squared bishop.] 

 


5 ... Be6 [An untested move. Panczyk & Ilczuk's book gives the following line.]

 


5 ... f6 [The most popular reply. Protects the pawn and then continues development. The two most popular lines involve 6 ... Bg4 and 6 ... exd4.]