Popular openings
| Opening | Moves | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Italian Game | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 | open game, the best start for beginners |
| Ruy Lopez | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 | positional, long-term plans |
| Sicilian Defence | 1.e4 c5 | the most active reply for Black |
| French Defence | 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 | solid, closed centre |
| Scandinavian Defence | 1.e4 d5 | simple and easy to remember |
| Queen's Gambit | 1.d4 d5 2.c4 | fight for the centre, a classic |
| London System | 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 | universal and safe for White |
| King's Indian Defence | 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 | Black plays for an attack |
Reading the notation
Files a–h (left to right from White’s side), ranks 1–8 (from White to Black). Pieces by letter: K king, Q queen, R rook, B bishop, N knight; pawns have no letter. “x” capture, “+” check, “#” mate, O-O short and O-O-O long castling. The in-game move list uses the same notation.
Which opening to choose
- Beginner as White: the Italian Game, where every piece develops fast and the plan is clear (Bc4 eyes f7).
- Beginner as Black: e5 against 1.e4, d5 against 1.d4: symmetrical and solid.
- Fast games (3+2, 5): the London System, the same setup against anything, saving clock time.
- If you like attacking: Ruy Lopez as White, Sicilian or King’s Indian as Black.
Practising an opening in the game
- Computer, Hard level: play one opening ten games in a row; the computer answers differently each time.
- If you went wrong, ↩ Undo and try the right move.
- Then online 10-minute games: real opponents leave theory, so play by principles.
FAQ
Must I memorise openings?
No. At amateur level the 5 principles are enough; memorising helps only in one favourite opening.
What is a gambit?
Sacrificing a pawn (sometimes a piece) for tempo or the centre. In the Queen’s Gambit the c4 pawn is offered; if Black takes, White seizes the centre.
The simplest reply to 1.e4 as Black?
1…e5, natural and solid; the Scandinavian (1…d5) is simple too, but the queen comes out early.
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