The Berlin Defense, Closed Showalter Variation is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C66. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Bd7 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Bxc6, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up three points of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.
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The Berlin Defense, Closed Showalter Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Bd7 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Bxc6. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C66.
The Berlin Defense, Closed Showalter Variation is ECO C66. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O d6 5. d4 Bd7 6. Nc3 Be7 7. Bxc6 at +0.54 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up three points of material. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.