Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap
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Statistics from Lichess
21,080 games: White 60.9% / Draw 6.9% / Black 32.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 11,06411K | ||
| 2,5262,526 | ||
| 2,4602,460 | ||
| 1,8721,872 | ||
| 1,7461,746 | ||
| 337337 | ||
| 247247 | ||
| 241241 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.54 White is clearly better
Best play: 8. Bxc6 Bxc6 9. dxe5 Ng4 10. Bf4 dxe5 11. Bxe5 Bb4 12. Qxd8 Raxd8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Tarrasch Trap (ECO C66, Open Games) is a variation of the Ruy Lopez: Steinitz Defense, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. d4 Bd7 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. Re1 O-O (7 moves).
In 21,080 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 60.9%, Black 32.2% and 6.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Bxc6, in 52% 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, Tarrasch Trap
The most played answer, 8. Bxc6, also scores best for White: 69.0%, with White winning 65.2% and Black 27.2% of 11K games. Of the main answers, 8. d5 scores lowest: 54.8%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. Bxc6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White'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, Tarrasch Trap (C66)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/ruy-lopez-berlin-defense-tarrasch-trap