The Open Berlin Defense, Showalter Variation 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. Ba4, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after six 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 Open Berlin Defense, Showalter Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Nd6 6. Ba4. It is a variation of the Ruy Lopez and is catalogued as ECO C67.
The Open Berlin Defense, Showalter Variation 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. Ba4 at +0.05 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on e5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.