Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Beverwijk Variation
The Beverwijk Variation is 4.O-O Bc5 in the Berlin, where Black develops the bishop to c5 instead of taking on e4. White can use the fork trick Nxe5 followed by d4, or build slowly with c3 and d4, while Black aims for quick castling and pressure on f2.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Bc5
- ECO
- C65
- Engine
- +0.46 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,742 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.4%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- The fork trick Nxe5 then d4 regains the piece by hitting the c5 bishop and the e5 knight together.
- The calmer c3 and d4 builds a center with tempo against the bishop, as in the second engine line.
- After ...Bb6, Bg5 pins the f6 knight and adds pressure on e5 and d4.
Black
- After the fork trick, ...c6 and ...d5 open the center and hit the white bishop and pawns.
- Against c3, castle and retreat the bishop to b6, keeping it aimed at f2.
- Answer a4 with ...a5 to stop White from trapping the bishop with a5.
Plans and pawn structure
The line splits into two styles. After Nxe5 and d4, the center opens fast: Black plays ...c6 and ...d5 to free the pieces, and both sides fight over e4 and the open files. After c3 and d4, Black's bishop retreats to b6 and the game becomes a classical Ruy with tension on e5. White then uses a4 against the bishop and Bg5 to pin, while Black keeps solid with ...d6 and ...a5.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.46: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.46 5.Nxe5 Nxe5 6.d4 c6 7.dxe5 Nxe4
- +0.43 5.c3 O-O 6.d4 Bb6 7.Bg5 d6
- +0.34 5.Nc3 O-O 6.Nxe5 Nxe5 7.d4 d5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,742 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.4%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Classical Variation, Zukertort Gambit5.c3 · 1,002 games
- Classical Variation, Modern Main Line5.c3 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, know the fork trick before playing ...Bc5. After Nxe5 Nxe5 d4, play ...c6 and ...Nxe4 with active pieces. Against c3, castle and play ...Bb6 early so d4 does not come with tempo. Avoid leaving the bishop on c5 too long.
Questions
What are the moves of the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Beverwijk Variation?
The Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Beverwijk Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Bc5. Its ECO code is C65.
Is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Beverwijk Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.46 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 1,742 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.4%. An active choice for Black players who know the fork trick lines; White has two good systems and a small, steady edge.
What is the main idea of the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense, Beverwijk Variation?
Black develops the bishop to c5 in the Berlin. White can open the game with the fork trick Nxe5 and d4, or play c3 and d4 to gain time on the bishop.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is Nxe5, with c3 and Nc3 close behind. 5.Nxe5 starts the fork trick: after the recapture, d4 hits the c5 bishop and the e5 knight together.
Related lines
- Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense
- Improved Steinitz Defense
- Rio Gambit Accepted
- How to beat the Ruy Lopezguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.