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A game where the cons of taking the e4 pawn in the Berlin defense are exposed. |
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1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6
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The so called Berlin defense or Berlin Wall, seldom seen at the highest level beacause of its strenght. Kramnik used it very often. |
 
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4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4
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The indirect protection of the pawn. |
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5... exd4
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The pawn should not be taken. Best and normal its the theorical continuation 5.-...Nd5, and after 6.-Bxc6 dxc5 7.-dxe5 Nf5 8.-Qxd8 Kxd7 the debate its still on wheter black uncastled king and pawn weaknesses can survive white's onslaught defending with the power of the bishop pair. |
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6. Re1
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The natural explotation of the open e file. |
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6... f5 7. Nxd4
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Threatening f3. |
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7... Nxd4 8. Qxd4 c6 9. Qe5+
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If 9.-Bc4 then d5 its good for black. |
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9... Qe7 10. Qxf5
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10.-Qxe7 Bxe7 11.-Bd3 d5 its good for black. |
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10... d5
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d6 was a better move. |
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11. Qxd5
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The refutation of 10.-...d5 |
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11... Bd7 12. Qxe4
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Winning a piece. |
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12... cxb5
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If 12.-Qxe4 Rxe4 13.-Be7 Bd3 wins a piece. |
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13. Qxe7+ Bxe7 14. Bg5
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Can black do something now? |
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14... O-O 15. Bxe7 Rae8 16. Nd2 Rf5 17. Bb4 Rc8 18. c3 Bc6 19. Nf3
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White has clearly no objection in returning a pawn to exchange pieces. |
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19... Bxf3 20. gxf3 Rxf3 21. Re3 Rf5
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avoiding exchanges. |
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22. Rae1
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Treathening to exchange rooks by 23.-Re8 |
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22... Rc6 23. Re3e8+ Kf7 24. Re1e7+ Kg6 25. Re7e6+
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white seeks exchanges. |
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25... Kh5 26. Re6e5 Rxe5 27. Rxe5+ Kg4 28. Rxb5
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Now white a pawn and a piece up confortably wins. |
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28... g5 29. Rxb7
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Make two pawns. |
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29... h5 30. Rxa7 h4 31. a4 Kh3 32. Re7 Rc8 33. a5 Rd8
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With the hopeful trheath 34.-Rd1 mate. |
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34. Re1 Rd2 35. Ba3
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35.-a6 could have been triyed too, but i just wanted to play safe. |
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