Opening Library

Every opening worth knowing — from the Italian Game and Caro-Kann to the Stafford Gambit and the Grob. Each one has its own page with video lessons, key ideas, and common mistakes.

Showing 13 of 70 openings
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WhiteIntermediate

Alien Gambit

Family: Caro-Kann
ECO: B11

A modern internet-famous gambit against the Caro-Kann. Sacrifices material for a fierce attack — mostly a surprise weapon.

Beginner
5
Aggro
9
Solid
3
Trap
9
♟
BlackIntermediate

Benko Gambit

Family: Benko
ECO: A57, A58, A59

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5!? — sacrifice a pawn for long-term queenside pressure. Easy to play, hard to refute.

Beginner
6
Aggro
7
Solid
6
Trap
4
♟
WhiteIntermediate

Danish Gambit

ECO: C21

1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3!? — sacrifice up to two pawns for raging attack down the e- and d-files.

Beginner
6
Aggro
10
Solid
3
Trap
8
♟
BlackIntermediate

Elephant Gambit

Family: Elephant
ECO: C40

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5!? — refuted in serious play but a fun online surprise weapon. Sacrifices a pawn for chaos.

Beginner
5
Aggro
9
Solid
3
Trap
8
♟
WhiteIntermediate

Evans Gambit

Family: Italian Game
ECO: C51, C52

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4!? — sacrifice the b-pawn to gain tempo, build a powerful center, and attack.

Beginner
6
Aggro
10
Solid
4
Trap
8
♟
BlackAdvanced

Jaenisch Gambit

Family: Ruy Lopez
ECO: C63

Ruy Lopez with 3...f5!? — Black sacrifices a pawn for sharp counterplay and an open f-file.

Beginner
4
Aggro
9
Solid
4
Trap
7
♟
WhiteIntermediate

King's Gambit

ECO: C30, C31, C32…

The romantic-era classic: 1.e4 e5 2.f4. White sacrifices a pawn to rip open the f-file and attack the king.

Beginner
5
Aggro
10
Solid
3
Trap
8
♟
BlackAdvanced

Latvian Gambit

Family: Latvian
ECO: C40

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5!? — the King's Gambit reversed. Wildly aggressive but objectively bad.

Beginner
4
Aggro
10
Solid
2
Trap
8
♟
BlackIntermediate

Rousseau Gambit

Family: Rousseau
ECO: C50

Italian Game with 3...f5 — Black sacrifices a pawn for active play and to avoid Italian theory.

Beginner
5
Aggro
8
Solid
3
Trap
7
♟
WhiteIntermediate

Smith-Morra Gambit

Family: Anti-Sicilian
ECO: B21

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3!? — White sacrifices a pawn to dodge Sicilian theory and get fast development.

Beginner
6
Aggro
9
Solid
4
Trap
7
♟
BlackIntermediate

Stafford Gambit

Family: Stafford
ECO: C42

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6!? — internet-famous trap-laden gambit popularized by Eric Rosen. Wins games against unprepared opponents.

Beginner
6
Aggro
10
Solid
3
Trap
10
♟
BlackAdvanced

Traxler Counterattack

Family: Italian Game
ECO: C57

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 — Black plays 4...Bc5!? sacrificing material for a vicious attack on f2.

Beginner
5
Aggro
10
Solid
3
Trap
9
♟
WhiteIntermediate

Vienna Gambit

Family: Vienna
ECO: C25, C28, C29

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4!? — White sacrifices a pawn for fast development and a kingside attack. A favorite of beginners and online players.

Beginner
6
Aggro
9
Solid
4
Trap
8