How to crack the Berlin Wall with 5.Re1 Singles Day and FIDE Senior Trainer

and FIDE Senior Trainer

Smeets (2617)

Wie im richtigen Leben wird man auch im Schach immer wieder in Versuchung geführt: einen Bauern zu nehmen

which have a very special aura due to a long-standing loyal following

both for White and Black

How to crack the Berlin Wall with 5.Re1 Singles Day and FIDE Senior TrainerIn the Berlin Defense (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. OO Nxe4) White has a tough nut to crack. Black's position is very firm and solid, which is why the variation is often called the "Berlin Wall". The main variation 5. d4 in particular leads to positions in which White has difficulty demonstrating any advantage. On this DVD, Latvian top player Alexei Shirov makes a different suggestion: he recommends 5. Re1, which leads to a symmetrical position,