1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1b5  3... g8f6  4. e1g1  4... f6e4  5. d2d4  5... e4d6  6. b5c6  6... d7c6  7. d4e5  7... d6f5  8. d1d8  8... e8d8 As a somewhat experienced player, I remember that, when I was young, I witnessed the rise of the Berlin Defense, which I could never have imagined would become what it has become today. First I saw the Hungarian GM Zoltan Almasi popularize it, and I even faced him in this line. I also saw Kramnik use it as the weapon that neutralized Kasparov, who simply could not imagine that this defense was correct. In those times, entering the endgame was automatic and considered the natural attempt at refutation. This position, to me, never seemed easy to play for Black, but eventually White gave up and looked for other ways. From time to time, however, some strong GM is still able to break the solidity of the Berlin endgame. 9. h2h3 