Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Winawer Attack (C67)

The Berlin Defense, Winawer Attack 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 Be7 6. Qe2 Nd6 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. dxe5 Nb7 9. Nd4, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black’s a-file pawn is isolated; Black has the bishop pair.

On the Ruy Lopez generally: One of the oldest and most classical openings. White develops rapidly and puts pressure on Black's center.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Winawer Attack — position after Nd4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. Qe2 Nd6 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. dxe5 Nb7 9. Nd4

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4e5
2Nf3Nc6
3Bb5Nf6
4O-ONxe4
5d4Be7
6Qe2Nd6
7Bxc6bxc6
8dxe5Nb7
9Nd4

ECO: C67

Stockfish: +0.41 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Ruy Lopez lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Berlin Defense, Winawer Attack?

The Berlin Defense, Winawer Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. Qe2 Nd6 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. dxe5 Nb7 9. Nd4. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C67.

What is the ECO code for the Berlin Defense, Winawer Attack?

The Berlin Defense, Winawer Attack is ECO C67. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Ruy Lopez.

Is the Berlin Defense, Winawer Attack good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. Qe2 Nd6 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. dxe5 Nb7 9. Nd4 at +0.41 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.

What kind of position does the Berlin Defense, Winawer Attack lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e5. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file; Black’s a-file pawn is isolated; Black has the bishop pair.