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Chess openings

Learn the ideas behind popular chess openings

Study the first moves, strategic ideas, plans for both sides and common mistakes. Then return to ChessRivo to play, analyse and improve.

Italian Game1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 · rapid developmentRuy Lopez1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 · pressure on the e4 centerScotch Game1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 · central controlFour Knights Game1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 · rapid developmentVienna Game1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 · central controlKing’s Gambit1.e4 e5 2.f4 · the initiativePetrov Defense1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 · central controlSicilian Defense1.e4 c5 · pressure on the c-fileFrench Defense1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 · pawn-structure decisionsCaro-Kann Defense1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 · pawn-structure decisionsScandinavian Defense1.e4 d5 · central controlPirc Defense1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 · fianchetto pressure on the long diagonalModern Defense1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 · fianchetto pressure on the long diagonalAlekhine Defense1.e4 Nf6 · active counterplayNimzowitsch Defense1.e4 Nc6 · a flexible move orderPhilidor Defense1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 · pawn-structure decisionsQueen’s Gambit1.d4 d5 2.c4 · central tensionQueen’s Gambit Declined1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 · pawn-structure decisionsQueen’s Gambit Accepted1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 · central controlSlav Defense1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 · pawn-structure decisionsSemi-Slav Defense1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 · pawn-structure decisionsLondon System1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 · rapid developmentCatalan Opening1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 · fianchetto pressure on the long diagonalKing’s Indian Defense1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 · fianchetto pressure on the long diagonalNimzo-Indian Defense1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 · pressure on the d4 centerQueen’s Indian Defense1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 · queenside playGrünfeld Defense1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 · central controlBenoni Defense1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 · queenside playDutch Defense1.d4 f5 · kingside attacking chancesEnglish Opening1.c4 · queenside playRéti Opening1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 · a flexible move orderBird’s Opening1.f4 · kingside attacking chancesNimzowitsch-Larsen Attack1.b3 · control of the long diagonalPolish Opening1.b4 · queenside playMieses Opening1.d3 · a flexible move orderKing’s Pawn Game1.e4 · central controlQueen’s Pawn Game1.d4 · central controlTrompowsky Attack1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 · pressure on the d4 centerColle System1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3 · rapid developmentBenko Gambit1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 · long-term compensation for a pawn
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Start with understanding, not memorisation

Google and players should be able to see how the opening library is organised. Start with the principles, then choose one opening for White and one response to 1.e4 or 1.d4.

Opening principlesItalian GameSicilian DefenseBeginner opening guide