Chess opening · ECO C24
Bishop's Opening: Berlin Defense
Against the Bishop's Opening, 2...Nf6 is the Berlin Defense, attacking the e4 pawn straight away. No white piece guards it, so White's next move has to defend it, counterattack, or offer it. Black wants to develop quickly and, if White plays quietly, build a center with ...c6 and ...d5 that also blunts the c4 bishop.
- Rank by weighted share
- #44 of 159
Key moves
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6
- 2... Nf6The knight attacks e4 and covers h5, so a white queen can no longer use that square to reach f7. It also clears g8, bringing Black one step closer to short castling once the f8 bishop moves.
Guarding e4 with 3.d3
The d3 move is the calm choice. It supports e4 and opens the c1 bishop, while the c4 bishop keeps its view of f7. Black can then play ...c6 and ...d5, gaining space and hitting the bishop with a pawn so that it retreats to b3.
Transpositions with Nc3 and Nf3
3.Nc3 reaches a Vienna Game position by another order. 3.Nf3 invites 3...Nc6, which is the Two Knights Defense, or 3...Nxe4, when White can leave the pawn behind and develop with 4.Nc3.
The Urusov Gambit with 3.d4
After 3.d4 exd4 4.Nf3 White has spent the d-pawn to get pieces out fast and open lines in the center before Black has castled. Black has to choose between holding the extra pawn and returning it to finish development.
The ...c6 and ...d5 setup
3. d3 c6 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 Bd6
Black has a broad pawn center on c6, d5 and e5, and the bishop on b3 no longer sees f7 past the d5 pawn. The f3 knight hits e5, which the d6 bishop now defends, and White can trade on d5 whenever the timing suits.
Top replies by rating
d3 leads from 1200 up, while Nf3 tops the under-1200 band. At 2000 and up the gambit move d4 climbs into the top three.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1200 | Nf3 32% | d3 22% | Nc3 15% |
| 1200–1399 | d3 40% | Nf3 22% | Nc3 16% |
| 1400–1599 | d3 47% | Nf3 22% | Nc3 17% |
| 1600–1799 | d3 43% | Nc3 25% | Nf3 20% |
| 1800–1999 | d3 38% | Nc3 37% | Nf3 12% |
| 2000 and up | d3 41% | d4 25% | Nc3 23% |
Related openings
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