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The Berlin vs. 1.d4

ChessOpeningPuzzleAnalysis
What is the equivalent of the Berlin Defence against 1.d4? Discover it here :)

Introduction

What is the Berlin vs. 1.d4?⁣

If you've followed top-level chess for any time, you will know that Berlin is one of Black's most reliable defences to 1.e4 (the top line of many engines at a high depth). So you see a lot of Grandmasters avoid it in various ways - from the 4.d3 Anti-Berlin and the Italian (3.Bc4) to playing 1.d4 instead. ⁣

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/hkIa3Kpw

This raises the natural question - is there an equivalent of the Berlin against 1.d4?⁣

It turns out there is - and we'll discover the '1.d4 Berlin' in this post :)

The First Foundation

The most common defence against 1.d4 is 1...Nf6 2.c4 e6, partly because of its flexibility - we have the remarkably reliable Nimzo-Indian ready with 3.Nc3 Bb4. I have included the most effective answer to White's two main lines below:

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/CdsvSdmS

Avoiding The Exchange QGD

But what if White plays 3.Nf3 instead, avoiding the Nimzo?

Then we play 3...d5, and it's worth pointing out that, compared to the 'normal' Queen's Gambit Declined move order with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5, the Exchange QGD is now much less effective for White.

If you are not sure why this is the case, check out the following chapter of my Study:

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/vhPbeKrP#last

As you can see, the delay in White's pressure on d5 with the early Nf3 affords Black the time to activate his light-squared bishop with an early ...Bf5, solving his strategic problems.

The Starting Position Of The Berlin Vs. 1.d4

After the 'Three Knights QGD' with 4.Nc3 (arguably the absolute main line of Grandmaster play), Black has a wide choice of options - including the Semi-Slav (4...c6), Classical QGD (4...Be7) and Ragozin (4...Bb4).⁣

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/nxHlIzVF

However, the 'Berlin equivalent' versus 1.d4 is the Semi-Tarrasch (4...c5) - but with a bit of a twist.⁣

Improving On The Old Semi-Tarrasch

Instead of meeting 5.cxd5 with the old main line of 5...Nxd5, the primary trend shifted to 5...cxd4 6.Qxd4 (6.Nxd4 Nxd5 transposes to a very safe line of the Symmetrical English for Black) 6...exd5 (see the chapter below), with the point that the queen on d4 is vulnerable to a later ...Nc6 attack in this IQP structure.

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/I8PU1t0f

The Endgame

Black's position has proven resilient in the 7.e4 dxe4 8.Qxd8 Kxd8 9.Ng5 Be6 main line. White has tried various approaches at the GM level, but without achieving any objective advantage. A common thread we see in the variations is that Black can bring his king to e7, both defending the e6-pawn and neutralizing a Bg5 pin:

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/RR5mwriR

A Good IQP Structure

It's worth noting that White is not forced to play 7.e4.

After 7.Bg5 Be7 8.e3 0-0 (and only later ...Nc6), Black hasn't experienced any objective problems in GM practice.

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/pcJohGd2

One of my Facebook friends recently opined that he always considers the Isolated Queen's Pawn (IQP) a liability. And while the isolated pawn is a static weakness, it also gives Black a space advantage, which often translates into greater piece activity and either an attack on the White king, or a central initiative with the ...d4 break.

The following classic game is a model example of the dynamic potential the IQP offers:

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/OHCmXUFQ

A Symmetrical English Transposition

If, instead of 6.Qxd4, White plays 6.Nxd4, we transpose to a reliable line of the Symmetrical English after 6...Nxd5. The more common move order for those wondering is 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5.

Black's plan to equalise is pretty straightforward - play ...Be7, castle, and prepare the ...e5 break for a central space advantage:

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/GBOPbzSo

A Panov-Botvinnik Transposition

That is why you'll sometimes see top players go for 5.e3, to keep the tension and 'get a game'. However, Black has several good options in response. Caro-Kann players may be happy to transpose to the Panov-Botvinnik Attack with 5...cxd4 6.exd4 Bb4:

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/R5MovgOr

Playing With The IQP - Semi-Tarrasch

Those preferring to play with the IQP (rather than against it) can opt for the main line 5.e3 Nc6 6.cxd5 (6.a3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 transposes to a relatively harmless line of the QGA) exd5 7.Bb5 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bd7 9.0-0 Bd6, where White can try various moves, but Black obtains a fine game in all cases:

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/MoPD3WIT

The Meran-Style Approach

5...a6 also exists for those wanting to play in the Meran style with ...dxc4 and ...b5:

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/wRQgjhZk

The arising IQP middlegame in the main line is relatively standard. Those with considerable experience already in IQP positions will likely feel pretty comfortable here.

Marshall Gambit Style vs. The Catalan

Finally, if White tries to avoid the 'd4 Berlin' with 4.g3, the Catalan, Nepo had prepared the following system for his 2021 World Championship Match with Carlsen: 4...Be7 5.Bg2 0-0 6.0-0 dxc4 7.Qc2 b5 8.a4 Bb7 9.axb5 a6, sacrificing a pawn for a very active piece play in the spirit of the Marshall Gambit. I go slightly deeper in the chapter:

https://lichess.org/study/q3kaIQCQ/oS7GCaDR

Conclusion

Of course, the disadvantage of such systems is that in some cases, Black doesn't get many winning chances due to playing primarily to eliminate White's first move advantage. However, at lower levels, the relative surprise factor of the d4 Berlin (mainly seen at GM level) could lead to excellent practical results. ⁣

What do you think of the 1.d4 Berlin for Black? ⁣

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