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I recently came to the realisation that I needed to talk about the “Bishop’s Opening: Berlin, Vienna Hybrid Variation”, which I’ve realised is a rather frequent line that comes out of the Vienna Game, Max Lange Defense. From the Vienna, this position is reached via (1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3). According to OpeningTree.com, I’ve played 40 games from this position, winning 65% of the time, making it one of the most common lines out of the Vienna! In fact, I’ve created a new playlist on my channel specifically about this opening: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5X_LrdT7hCWllqK_yCcBbh3edfB0VtJu

The other way this position is reached, as per the name, is via the Berlin Defense to the Bishop’s Opening (1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Nc6 4. Nc3).

My opponent in this game was from Vietnam and rated just under 1000 ELO, which is an odd match up. I played this game last week from my hotel room during some time off while in Melbourne for work, and chess.com took some time before the game matched. My opponent played really well and on move 4, made the best response for Black (4… Bb4). Now, since the game, I’ve learnt on analysis that the best move for White is to develop another minor piece – either Bd2, Ne2, or Nf3. In this game, perhaps a little arrogant seeing my opponent rated almost 400 points less, I played f4 immediately without thinking. This is a mistake [-1.2] as in this position, Black has a very strong move d5, which wins material with my queen’s knight pinned to the king.

Luckily for me, Black didn’t immediately punish my mistake and opted to trade their bishop for my knight first. Clarified, their d5 on the next move is less powerful [-0.3], but they come out of the opening ahead a point of material having captured one of my pawns. This was brilliant opening play by a sub-1000 beginner chess player! Luckily for me, I managed to take the advantage with perhaps my better experience in the middle game.

On move 15, I miscalculate and miss a very winning attack that I had. Although I might blame being tired working interstate, the reality is that I was taking it easy (arrogance!) as I simply took the view that I would probably win regardless. Rather that capturing Black’s pinned knight with my rook with check, a potential mating attack, I lazily captured their other knight first, giving Black the opportunity to develop and break the pin. This was practically a blunder with the evaluation dropping from [+4] → [-1]!

Move 19 was when Black’s prospects changed and is perhaps a good message for beginner chess players. Although doing well in the opening is, of course, better than doing badly in the opening, developing strategies and finding tactics in the middlegame is needed to convert an opening advantage into a win. Black’s (19… a5) was an indication to me that they weren’t sure what to do, while I had a simple strategic idea – to launch an attack on Black’s king! First, I brought my knight, and then the already “lifted” rook on the third rank to the g-file. The tactic to identify is that Black’s g-pawn will potentially be pinned to its king, meaning that it doesn’t defend the f- and g-files. Along with the tricky knight L-shaped moves, Black missed the significance of the pin and believed that everything was defended. So, on move 24 I captured their rook that was seemingly defended by the g-pawn with Rxf6… except it wasn’t! I can imagine Black attempting to drag the pawn to capture back and only in their horror, discovering the pin, and resigned! Emotional damage, GG!

The big takeaway from this game is to always respect your opponent by playing carefully, even if they are lower rated. Indeed, especially if they are lower rated!

Game on chess.com: https://www.chess.com/game/live/85992606779

[Event "Live Chess"]
[Site "Chess.com"]
[Date "2023.08.17"]
[Round "-"]
[White "vitualis"]
[Black "headkRBYUCbfreyaJ"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Timezone "UTC"]
[ECO "C28"]
[ECOUrl "https://www.chess.com/openings/Bishops-Opening-Berlin-Vienna-Hybrid-Variation-4...Bb4"]
[UTCDate "2023.08.17"]
[UTCTime "06:28:43"]
[WhiteElo "1360"]
[BlackElo "974"]
[TimeControl "900+10"]
[Termination "vitualis won by resignation"]
[StartTime "06:28:43"]
[EndDate "2023.08.17"]
[EndTime "06:46:24"]
[Link "https://www.chess.com/game/live/85992606779"]
[WhiteUrl "https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/user/3711094.f52a0759.50x50o.ab18600a8723.png"]
[WhiteCountry "17"]
[WhiteTitle ""]
[BlackUrl "https://www.chess.com/bundles/web/images/noavatar_l.84a92436.gif"]
[BlackCountry "149"]
[BlackTitle ""]

1. e4 {[%clk 0:15:09.5]} 1... e5 {[%clk 0:15:08.8]} 2. Nc3 {[%clk 0:15:17.7]}
2... Nc6 {[%clk 0:15:07.2]} 3. Bc4 {[%clk 0:15:14.2]} 3... Nf6 {[%clk
0:14:31.7]} 4. d3 {[%clk 0:15:22.6] Bishop's Opening: Berlin, Vienna Hybrid:
this is a common position to reach out of the Max Lange Defense to the Vienna
Game, especially at the intermediate level [+0.1]. At the time of this analysis,
I had played this position 40 times on chess.com winning 65\% of the time $1} 4...
Bb4 {[%clk 0:14:36.5]} 5. f4 $2 {[%clk 0:15:30.4][%c_arrow
g1e2;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;e2;persistent;false,c1d2;keyPressed;none;from;c1;opacity;0.8;to;d2;persistent;false,g1f3;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;f3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false,d2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d2;persistent;false,f3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;f3;persistent;false][%c_effect
f4;square;f4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This is a mistake [-1.2] as Black has
a very powerful d5. The best move is Ne2.} 5... Bxc3+ $2 {[%clk
0:14:04.7][%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
d7d5;keyPressed;none;from;d7;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false] A relative mistake
[-0.3] as Black missed d5} 6. bxc3 {[%clk 0:15:38.7]} 6... d5 {[%clk 0:14:13.5]}
7. Bb3 {[%clk 0:15:15.4]} 7... exf4 {[%clk 0:12:18.5]} 8. Bxf4 {[%clk
0:15:06.1]} 8... dxe4 {[%clk 0:12:28.4]} 9. dxe4 {[%clk 0:14:52.2]} 9... Qxd1+
{[%clk 0:12:19.1]} 10. Rxd1 {[%clk 0:15:00.4]} 10... Nxe4 {[%clk 0:12:28.6]} 11.
Bxc7 $6 {[%clk 0:14:36.6][%c_arrow
d1d3;keyPressed;none;from;d1;opacity;0.8;to;d3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d3;persistent;false][%c_effect
c7;square;c7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] This aggressive capture was
considered an inaccuracy [-1.2] with defence of the c3 pawn better. I wasn't
sure during the game.} 11... Nxc3 {[%clk 0:12:36.6]} 12. Rd3 {[%clk 0:14:09.2]}
12... Nb5 {[%clk 0:12:22.5]} 13. Re3+ {[%clk 0:13:01.1]} 13... Ne7 $2 {[%clk
0:12:09.2][%c_arrow
c8e6;keyPressed;none;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false][%c_effect
e7;square;e7;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This was a mistake and I'm slightly
ahead again in evaluation [+0.2]. However, as I'm ahead on evaluation despite
being down a point of material, my position is substantially better.} 14. Ba5
{[%clk 0:12:43.8]} 14... Nd4 {[%clk 0:12:03.8]} 15. Bb4 $2 {[%clk
0:12:32.3][%c_arrow
g1e2;keyPressed;none;from;g1;opacity;0.8;to;e2;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e2;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e2;persistent;false][%c_effect
b4;square;b4;type;Mistake;persistent;true] I don't play the most accurately
[-1.4] in this tricky position. My simple idea was to place pressure on the
pinned piece.} 15... Nxb3 $4 {[%clk 0:12:04.3][%c_effect
b3;square;b3;type;Blunder;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true][%c_arrow
c8e6;keyPressed;none;from;c8;opacity;0.8;to;e6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e6;persistent;false] This, however, was a
blunder [+4] as the attack on the king hasn't been addressed} 16. cxb3 $4 {[%clk
0:12:18.4][%c_effect
b3;square;b3;type;Blunder;keyPressed;undefined;persistent;true][%c_arrow
e3e7;keyPressed;none;from;e3;opacity;0.8;to;e7;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e7;persistent;false] I blunder back [-1],
not seeing a potential mating attack...} ({An extremely powerful attack that
results in checkmate if Black makes the wrong move...} 16. Rxe7+ Kf8 $4
{[%c_arrow
e8d8;keyPressed;none;from;e8;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false][%c_effect
f8;square;f8;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 17. Re3+ Kg8 18. Re8#) 16... Be6 $1
{[%clk 0:12:11.5][%c_effect e6;square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 17.
Nf3 $6 {[%clk 0:12:09][%c_arrow
b4a3;keyPressed;none;from;b4;opacity;0.8;to;a3;persistent;false][%c_highlight
a3;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;a3;persistent;false][%c_effect
f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Relative inaccuracy [-1.6] as Nd5
forks my bishop and rook} 17... Nc6 $2 {[%clk 0:12:10.7][%c_arrow
e7d5;keyPressed;none;from;e7;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false][%c_effect
c6;square;c6;type;Mistake;persistent;true] But luckily, Black misses it $1 [-0.6]}
18. Bc3 $6 {[%clk 0:11:57][%c_effect
c3;square;c3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] Here, I was planning a subsequent
attack on Black's kingside. However, this was inaccurate [-1.2] as staying on
the existing diagonal prevents kingside castling.} 18... O-O {[%clk 0:12:08.6]}
19. O-O {[%clk 0:11:53.6]} 19... a5 $2 {[%clk 0:12:10.2][%c_effect
a5;square;a5;type;Mistake;persistent;true][%c_arrow
a8d8;keyPressed;none;from;a8;opacity;0.8;to;d8;persistent;false,f8e8;keyPressed;none;from;f8;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false,h7h6;keyPressed;none;from;h7;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d8;persistent;false,e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,h6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h6;persistent;false]
Black's relative inexperience as a sub-1000 ELO player presents as this
queen-side pawn push when they weren't sure what to do in the middlegame. This
is a mistake [0.00] as this attack goes nowhere. Developing the rooks would be
better.} 20. Ng5 {[%clk 0:10:26.6]} 20... Rae8 $2 {[%clk 0:12:07.1][%c_arrow
e6d5;keyPressed;none;from;e6;opacity;0.8;to;d5;persistent;false][%c_highlight
d5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;d5;persistent;false][%c_effect
e8;square;e8;type;Mistake;persistent;true] This was another mistake as it's a
very passive move for their rook [+2.6]} 21. Rg3 $1 {[%clk 0:10:00.9][%c_effect
g3;square;g3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21... f6 $6 {[%clk
0:12:05.2][%c_effect f6;square;f6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g7g6;keyPressed;none;from;g7;opacity;0.8;to;g6;persistent;false][%c_highlight
g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false] An inaccuracy [+3.6]
with Black likely missing that the g-pawn is potentially pinned to the king} 22.
Ne4 {[%clk 0:09:04.1]} 22... Ne5 $6 {[%clk 0:11:28.5][%c_effect
e5;square;e5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true][%c_arrow
g8h8;keyPressed;none;from;g8;opacity;0.8;to;h8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
h8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h8;persistent;false] Another inaccuracy,
with Black hanging the pawn on f6 [+5] and a king-rook fork $1} 23. Nxf6+ {[%clk
0:08:57.2][%c_arrow
f6g8;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;g8;persistent;false,f6e8;keyPressed;none;from;f6;opacity;0.8;to;e8;persistent;false][%c_highlight
e8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;e8;persistent;false,g8;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g8;persistent;false]}
23... Rxf6 {[%clk 0:11:27.4]} 24. Rxf6 {[%clk 0:09:02.9][%c_effect
g1;square;g1;type;Winner,g8;square;g8;type;ResignBlack] Black probably forgot
that their g-pawn is pinned, losses their rook anyway. Emotional damage, their
resign. GG $1} 1-0