Chess Openings Guide

Study the theory behind every major chess opening. Click any opening to explore moves, variations, strategic ideas and sample games.

1.e4 e5 — Open Games

Ruy Lopez C60
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5Italian Game C50
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4Scotch Game C44
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4King's Gambit C30
1.e4 e5 2.f4Vienna Game C25
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3Petrov's Defense C42
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6

Sicilian Defense Variations

Sicilian Defense B20
1.e4 c5Sicilian Najdorf B90
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6Sicilian Dragon B70
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6Sicilian Scheveningen B80
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6

Semi-Open Games (1.e4, not 1...e5)

French Defense C00
1.e4 e6Caro-Kann Defense B10
1.e4 c6Alekhine's Defense B02
1.e4 Nf6Pirc Defense B06
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6

1.d4 — Closed and Semi-Closed Games

Queen's Gambit D06
1.d4 d5 2.c4Queen's Gambit Declined D30
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7Slav Defense D10
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6King's Indian Defense E60
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3 0-0Nimzo-Indian Defense E20
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4Grünfeld Defense D70
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5London System A45
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4Dutch Defense A80
1.d4 f5Catalan Opening E00
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3

Flank and Hypermodern Openings

English Opening A10
1.c4Réti Opening A09
1.Nf3 d5 2.c4
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