Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Minckwitz Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
9,967 games: White 46.3% / Draw 6.8% / Black 46.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 8,2748,274 | ||
| 993993 | ||
| 232232 | ||
| 219219 | ||
| 9595 | ||
| 6363 | ||
| 3535 | ||
| 2323 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.26 The position is about equal
Best play: 6... O-O 7. Qe2 d5 8. c4 a6 9. cxd5 axb5 10. dxc6 Qd5 11. Re1
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Minckwitz Variation (ECO C67, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Rio de Janeiro Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. dxe5 (6 moves).
In 9,967 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.3%, Black 46.8% and 6.8% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…O-O, in 83% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Minckwitz Variation
6…d5 scores best for Black: 55.0%, with Black winning 49.9% and White 40.0% of 993 games. The most played answer, 6…O-O, scores lowest: 50.6% in 8,274 games. Stockfish's first choice is 6…O-O.
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
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Minckwitz Variation (C67)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-berlin-defense-minckwitz-variation