Caissa Codex
C65

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Kaufmann Variation

Chess diagram: Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Kaufmann Variation after 5. Be3

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Statistics from Lichess

31,650 games: White 48.9% / Draw 5.3% / Black 45.8%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
20,04220K
5,5555,555
1,7561,756
1,7191,719
960960
462462
270270
217217

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.13 The position is about equal

Best play: 5... Bxe3 6. fxe3 Ne7 7. O-O c6 8. Bc4 Ng6 9. Bb3 O-O 10. Qe1

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Kaufmann Variation (ECO C65, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Be3 (5 moves).

In 31,650 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.9%, Black 45.8% and 5.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Bxe3, in 63% of those games.

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How to play against the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Kaufmann Variation

5…Bb6 scores best for Black: 50.9%, with Black winning 47.9% and White 46.2% of 5,555 games. The most played, 5…Bxe3, scores 49.0% in 20K games, and 5…d6 scores lowest: 44.3%. Stockfish's first choice is 5…Bxe3.

Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 4…Bc5 5. Be3, the position after Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Anti-Berlin Variation, Kaufmann Variation (C65)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-berlin-defense-anti-berlin-variation-kaufmann-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-berlin-defense-anti-berlin-variation-kaufmann-variation