Against a player rated 2070 in this 15+15 game, Black meets my Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5) with the notoriously sound Berlin Defense (3…Nf6). Seeking to deviate from the Berlin endgame and usual variations, I respond with a rare defense of the e-pawn, 4.Qe2. Although I build an attractive pawn chain (c3+d4+e5 with the f-pawn joining later), the middlegame produces some key calculation decisions that push me to my limits.
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