The Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation, Berlin Wall Defense is a variation of the Ruy Lopez, catalogued as ECO C67. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8, reaching the position shown below after 16 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after eight moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black has the bishop pair; the d-file file is fully open.
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, l'Hermet Variation, Berlin Wall Defense goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C67.
The Berlin Defense, l'Hermet Variation, Berlin Wall Defense is ECO C67. 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 Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. dxe5 Nf5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 at +0.14 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black has the bishop pair; the d-file file is fully open.