I belive the line is playable but I also think it depends on the type of position white is comfortable in. I belive its a simply a game of Chess. If one plays d3 Berlin, that the video I mention also plays, it would lead to similar structures.

I found a nice video on YouTube by IM Andrew Martin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjPGR8Fus4U

an ordinary chessplayer wrote on 02/15/22 at 03:02:29:


White also has 5. d3  5. O-O and 5. Nxe5 but theoretically all 5th moves look drawish in this line, not that there's anything wrong with that.

Against the Berlin, I might wait to exchange on c6 until theory calls for it or at least until Black played a6. Here's an attempt to have a similar structure as the original model game with d3 and Nbd2.

3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nbd2 O-O 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. Nc4 with 82 games listed on 365chess +29 -12 =41

4. d3 d6 5. Nbd2 Be7 6. Nf1 a6 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. Bd2 with similar ideas as the original game in post #1.

4. d3 d6 5. c3 a6 6. Bxc6 bxc6 7. Nbd2 with chances for both sides.

4. d3 d6 5. c3 Be7 6. Nbd2 O-O 7. Nf1 a6 8. Bxc6 bxc6 9. Ng3 with chances for both sides.

Needless to say, even though the goal may be to exchange with Bxc6 it may not always be correct. Theoretically, White scores better by not exchanging on c6 in some of these lines.

However, in the original line where 3. Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 (Black's most played move) the continuation 5. Bxc6 looks pretty good if followed up properly.

In the UK the move 6 version of this has some history and pedigree. 

Called the DERLD. 

I understand that work was done on this by an amateur player, Len Pickett from Lewisham club. He penned a monograph on it.
Discussed hereabouts:
https://www.chesspub.com/cgi-bin/chess/YaBB.pl?num=1325657521

Another source:
https://store.chessclub.com/har-zvi-the-derld

Edit:
Per that link. Bit surprised ICC still exists actually. I’d completely forgotten about it.

MNb wrote on 02/14/22 at 17:29:21:


I would leave that decision to each player. I do find that the loss of tempo is perfectly fine when both Nf6 is played by Black and knowing this specific plan which my opponent may not be aware of. I have encountered 4...Nf6, 4...b5 and 4...d6.

With 4...b5 Black can go after the King's Bishop with 5.Bb3 Na5. White will have the half open a-file after 6. O-O d6 7. d4 Nxb3 8. axb3.

With 4...d6 5. O-O Bd7 6. c3 Nge7 7. d4 for a Modern Steinitz variation.

So there are 3 ways to handle the Exchange.

A) Immediate capture with 4. Bxc6
B) Deferred capture with 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Bxc6
C) Doubly Deferred with 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6

I do not know the merits of approach C at this point. One thing it does is allow Black to enter the Open variation with 5. O-O Nxe4. Some players with White may prefer that. If Black does not enter that variation and plays for instance 5...Be7 then White can enter the Exchange Doubly Deferred with 6. Bxc6 but I have not looked into it at this point, as I am concentrating on a definite exchange by move 5.

I forgot to add, this method gives Black the opportunity to commit to 4...Nf6 before the exchange at c6. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. Bxc6

The immediate exchange 4. Bxc6 dxc6 allows Black to create a more flexible setup on the Kingside. For instance 5. O-O f6 6. d4 exd4 7. Nxd4 and Black can deploy the remaining Knight to e7, probably after Bd6, but not always. Black also may feel more compelled to castle Queenside since f6 has been played.

The Exchange Deferred with Black playing Nf6, White can more easily aim for an opposite side castle and can develop a more flexible arrangement with the Queen's Knight.