Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Bc4/2...Nf6/3. d3

Berlin defence C24 Bishop's opening → Berlin defence 3. d3 Responding to Black's threat, White defends the e4-pawn, and opens a line for the queen's bishop to develop. The most original approach to the position is 3...c6, the Paulsen defence. As Black has not been needed to play ...Nc6, they can instead play ...c6 to prepare ...d5. The main line continues 4. Nf3 d5 5. Bb3 Bd6. This is the most testing approach. Alternatively, 3...Nc6 or 3...Bc5, which increase control over the d5 square, invite transpositions into Italian or Vienna game positions. For example 3...Nc6 4. Nf3 Bc5 or 3...Bc5 4. Nf3 Nc6 transpose into the guioco pianissimo. 3...Bc5 4. Nc3 reaches the Spielmann attack otherwise seen in Vienna game move order 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3. Theory table 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 3 4 5 6 7 8 ...c6 Nf3d6 O-OBe7 c3O-O Bb3Nbd7 Re1 = ...... ...... ...... ...... Nbd2Nbd7 a4 = ...... ...... ...... Re1O-O a4 = Two Knights Defence 4. d3 ...Nc6 Nf3 = Giuoco Pianissimo ...Bc5 Nf3d6 c3O-O O-ONc6 = References See also Bishop's Opening