The Berlin Draw

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thinhdoduy

Jan 1, 2025

The Berlin draw is often utilized by top-level players to agree to an early draw:

According to Wikipedia, among top-rated players on Chess.com (rated 2700 or higher) from 2020, there were 87 games that used the line to come to an early draw. However it is not recommended for weaker players to play because any move moves before a draw can be made can also have a winning chance for weaker players.

Examples:

1. Hikaru Nakamura and Wesley So used the line to agree to a draw, the game ended in less than 20 minutes.

2. Ian Nepomniachtchi utilized this line against Nakamura in Round 12 of the Candidates Tournament 2022, forcing a quick draw by repetition.

3. A match between Richárd Rapport with white, and Nakamura with black, ended in a Berlin Draw that took just 36 seconds from first move to the threefold repetition.

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- @thinhdoduy