Learn chess openings
Explore important chess openings, learn the moves and patterns that define them, and practise recognising and remembering them on the board.
Easy
First moves for White
Main replies to 1.e4
Open Games
1.e4 e5
e-pawn meets e-pawn
Learn the Open GamesSicilian Defence
1.e4 c5
c5 fights d4
Learn the Sicilian DefenceFrench Defence
1.e4 e6
e6 prepares d5
Learn the French DefenceCaro-Kann Defence
1.e4 c6
c6 supports d5
Learn the Caro-Kann DefenceScandinavian Defence
1.e4 d5
attack e4 immediately
Learn the Scandinavian Defence
The Open Games
Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
bishop points at f7
Learn the Italian GameRuy Lopez
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
bishop challenges Nc6
Learn the Ruy LopezScotch Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
d4 breaks the centre
Learn the Scotch GameVienna Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3
Nc3 first
Learn the Vienna GamePetrov’s Defence
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6
counterattack e4 with Nf6
Learn the Petrov’s Defence
Major 1.d4 openings
Queen’s Gambit
1.d4 d5 2.c4
c4 challenges d5
Learn the Queen’s GambitLondon System
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4
bishop to f4
Learn the London SystemKing’s Indian Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6
fianchetto, then ...d6
Learn the King’s Indian DefenceNimzo-Indian Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
Bb4 pins Nc3
Learn the Nimzo-Indian DefenceDutch Defence
1.d4 f5
...f5 immediately
Learn the Dutch Defence
Medium
English and Réti branches
English Opening: Symmetrical Variation
1.c4 c5
c-pawn meets c-pawn.
Learn the English Opening: Symmetrical VariationEnglish Opening: King's English Variation
1.c4 e5
English + ...e5 = reversed Sicilian.
Learn the English Opening: King's English VariationRéti Opening
1.Nf3 d5 2.c4
Knight first, c-pawn second.
Learn the Réti Opening
French and Caro-Kann variations
French Defence: Advance Variation
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
Advance = push past d5.
Learn the French Defence: Advance VariationFrench Defence: Exchange Variation
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5
Exchange = e-pawn takes d5.
Learn the French Defence: Exchange VariationFrench Defence: Tarrasch Variation
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2
Tarrasch = knight to d2.
Learn the French Defence: Tarrasch VariationCaro-Kann Defence: Advance Variation
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
c6 + e5 = Caro-Kann Advance.
Learn the Caro-Kann Defence: Advance VariationCaro-Kann Defence: Exchange Variation
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5
Caro exchange = c6 behind the centre.
Learn the Caro-Kann Defence: Exchange Variation
Queen’s Gambit and Scandinavian responses
Queen’s Gambit Accepted
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4
Accepted = take on c4.
Learn the Queen’s Gambit AcceptedQueen’s Gambit Declined
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6
Declined = keep d5, add e6.
Learn the Queen’s Gambit DeclinedSlav Defence
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
Slav = c6 supports d5.
Learn the Slav DefenceScandinavian Defence: Mieses-Kotroc Variation
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5
Mieses-Kotroc = queen takes back.
Learn the Scandinavian Defence: Mieses-Kotroc VariationScandinavian Defence: Modern Variation
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6
Modern = knight first, queen stays home.
Learn the Scandinavian Defence: Modern Variation
Italian and Ruy Lopez defences
Italian Game: Giuoco Piano
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5
Giuoco Piano = bishop answers bishop.
Learn the Italian Game: Giuoco PianoItalian Game: Two Knights Defence
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6
Two Knights = both black knights are out.
Learn the Italian Game: Two Knights DefenceRuy Lopez: Morphy Defence
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6
Morphy = ...a6 asks the bishop.
Learn the Ruy Lopez: Morphy DefenceRuy Lopez: Berlin Defence
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6
Berlin = knight to f6, not pawn to a6.
Learn the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defence
Nimzo-Indian variations
Nimzo-Indian Defence: Classical Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2
Classical = queen to c2.
Learn the Nimzo-Indian Defence: Classical VariationNimzo-Indian Defence: Rubinstein System
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3
Rubinstein = e3.
Learn the Nimzo-Indian Defence: Rubinstein SystemNimzo-Indian Defence: Sämisch Variation
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3
Sämisch = a3 asks the bishop immediately.
Learn the Nimzo-Indian Defence: Sämisch Variation
Sicilian branches
Sicilian Defence: Classical Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6
Classical = ...Nc6.
Learn the Sicilian Defence: Classical VariationSicilian Defence: Najdorf Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
Najdorf = ...a6.
Learn the Sicilian Defence: Najdorf VariationSicilian Defence: Dragon Variation
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
Dragon = ...g6.
Learn the Sicilian Defence: Dragon VariationSicilian Defence: Alapin Variation
1.e4 c5 2.c3
Alapin = c3 before Nf3.
Learn the Sicilian Defence: Alapin Variation