Answers.Body: <p>In the Ruy Lopez White usually wants to play with c3 and d4 to claim the center. If you play d3 instead then you lose a tempo if you still want to go for that plan.</p>
  <p>Of course it is not the only possible plan but then the question becomes, if you answer 3...Nf6 with 4.d3, why would you not play the Italian instead where you might get a similar structure after for instance 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3, but arguably keep a bit more flexibility.</p>
  <p>Still, 4.d3 against the Berlin is a fine way to play, it just doesn't have a clear benefit over other similar setups.</p>
  
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Answers.Text: But there are lots of mainstream closed Ruy Lopez lines where white plays d2-d3, there must be a bit more to it. Does the fact that ...a6 isn't played yet make so much difference? In the Italian, black usually plays that quite soon.
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Answers.Text: There are lines where White plays d2-d3, yes. But that is when White chooses to. If you have to play 4.d3 already, you commit yourself sooner than you might like.
  As mentioned, there's nothing wrong with 4.d3 it just is not as flexible as some other lines might be.
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Answers.Body: <p>4.d3
  The main alternative to the move
  4.0-0, it avoids
  Berlin endgame.  White
  do not seek to squeeze the maximum
  from the debut, carrying the weight
  fight in the middle of the game.  although
  elite grandmasters have recently become addicted to this continuation, his theory is still developing (comment from the book practical guide to the Berlin defense. Louis Bernard).</p>
  
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Answers.UserDisplayName: Practicalgm
Answers.Body: <p>it depends on how good you are. At the GM level, it will likely draw a lot more than if you are not even an IM and play at a local club. 4. d3 works well for me. But then again, I am not a GM nor are my opponents.</p>
  
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Body: <p>The Berlin Defense is drawish if we reach the Berlin endgame. Yet White doesn't have to go into the endgame, and can instead play 4; d3. However, I hear that the Ruy Lopez is getting less popular in top level because of the Berlin defense. This implies that 4. d3 somehow is not as good compared to the mainlines, such as 3... a6 of the Ruy Lopez. <strong>What makes 4. d3 not as good as the Ruy Lopez's mainlines for White?</strong></p>
  
Tags: <opening><theory>
Title: How good is 4. d3, the Anti-Berlin?
ThreadText: # How good is 4. d3, the Anti-Berlin?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2020-11-08)
  
  The Berlin Defense is drawish if we reach the Berlin endgame. Yet White doesn't have to go into the endgame, and can instead play 4; d3. However, I hear that the Ruy Lopez is getting less popular in top level because of the Berlin defense. This implies that 4. d3 somehow is not as good compared to the mainlines, such as 3... a6 of the Ruy Lopez. **What makes 4. d3 not as good as the Ruy Lopez's mainlines for White?**
  
  **Tags:** opening, theory
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 3 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2020-11-13. Score: 3
  
  In the Ruy Lopez White usually wants to play with c3 and d4 to claim the center. If you play d3 instead then you lose a tempo if you still want to go for that plan.
  
  Of course it is not the only possible plan but then the question becomes, if you answer 3...Nf6 with 4.d3, why would you not play the Italian instead where you might get a similar structure after for instance 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d3, but arguably keep a bit more flexibility.
  
  Still, 4.d3 against the Berlin is a fine way to play, it just doesn't have a clear benefit over other similar setups.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_2**: But there are lots of mainstream closed Ruy Lopez lines where white plays d2-d3, there must be a bit more to it. Does the fact that ...a6 isn't played yet make so much difference? In the Italian, black usually plays that quite soon.  
  > **username_1**: There are lines where White plays d2-d3, yes. But that is when White chooses to. If you have to play 4.d3 already, you commit yourself sooner than you might like. As mentioned, there's nothing wrong with 4.d3 it just is not as flexible as some other lines might be.  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_3 on 2020-11-08. Score: 1
  
  4.d3
  The main alternative to the move
  4.0-0, it avoids
  Berlin endgame. White
  do not seek to squeeze the maximum
  from the debut, carrying the weight
  fight in the middle of the game. although
  elite grandmasters have recently become addicted to this continuation, his theory is still developing (comment from the book practical guide to the Berlin defense. Louis Bernard).
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2020-11-08. Score: -2
  
  it depends on how good you are. At the GM level, it will likely draw a lot more than if you are not even an IM and play at a local club. 4. d3 works well for me. But then again, I am not a GM nor are my opponents.
  
  
  ---
  
  