Question on the Berlin Defence

I was looking at the Berlin Defence of the Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.N3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6), where the main line goes 4.0-0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 ... However, I was wondering why Black doesn't go greedy by 5.exd4. I did some sort of research, but I haven't found any clue why this move is bad. I do know that White gets an attack, but I found that accurate play should let Black be able to survive, as the White attack is not necessarily forced.

Any comment? Anyone willing to clarify this?

Originally posted by badivan1
I was looking at the Berlin Defence of the Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.N3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6), where the main line goes 4.0-0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 ... However, I was wondering why Black doesn't go greedy by 5.exd4. I did some sort of research, but I haven't found any clue why this move is bad. I do know that White gets an attack, but I found that accurate play should let Blac ...[text shortened]... as the White attack is not necessarily forced.

Any comment? Anyone willing to clarify this?

I've played that line a few times as black.
It's because of the pinning move 6.Re1.
It's playable though, after 6...d5, 7.Nxd4...Bd7.
I'm sure I have a game in progress or one I recently finished with it.

Originally posted by badivan1
I was looking at the Berlin Defence of the Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.N3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6), where the main line goes 4.0-0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 ... However, I was wondering why Black doesn't go greedy by 5.exd4. I did some sort of research, but I haven't found any clue why this move is bad. I do know that White gets an attack, but I found that accurate play should let Blac ...[text shortened]... as the White attack is not necessarily forced.

Any comment? Anyone willing to clarify this?

Originally posted by Korch
Its risky, but playable line - but you must know these sharp lines very well, if you wanna play it.

Originally posted by Dutch Defense
nice avatar Korch 🙂