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.
Accelerated Dragon
Black fianchettoes immediately with ...g6 before playing ...d6. Avoids the Yugoslav Attack but allows the Maroczy Bind.
Alien Gambit
A modern internet-famous gambit against the Caro-Kann. Sacrifices material for a fierce attack — mostly a surprise weapon.
Berlin Defense
Ruy Lopez with 3...Nf6 — the famous "Berlin Wall" used by Kramnik to neutralize Kasparov. Leads to a tough, slightly drawish endgame.
Dragon Sicilian
Sharp Sicilian variation: Black fianchettoes the king's bishop on g7 and attacks the queenside while White attacks the kingside in opposite-side castling battles.
Evans Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4!? — sacrifice the b-pawn to gain tempo, build a powerful center, and attack.
Fantasy Variation
White's tricky 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 against the Caro-Kann. Builds a big center and avoids mainline theory.
Fried Liver Attack
The most famous beginner trap: after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5? 6.Nxf7! — sacrifices a knight to drag the king to the open board.
Giuoco Piano
The "quiet game" branch of the Italian: 4.c3 followed by d3, Nbd2, slow buildup, then break with d4.
Jaenisch Gambit
Ruy Lopez with 3...f5!? — Black sacrifices a pawn for sharp counterplay and an open f-file.
Jobava London
The aggressive London cousin: 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4. Sacrifices solidity for kingside attacking chances.
Najdorf Sicilian
The most respected Sicilian variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6. Played by Fischer and Kasparov. Massive theory, flexible plans.
Queen's Gambit Accepted
Black takes the c4 pawn (1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4) and plans active development. White recovers the pawn easily but the position is balanced.
Queen's Gambit Declined
Black holds the center: 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6. The most solid response to the Queen's Gambit. Played by every world champion.
Rousseau Gambit
Italian Game with 3...f5 — Black sacrifices a pawn for active play and to avoid Italian theory.
Scheveningen Sicilian
The "small center" Sicilian: Black plays ...e6 and ...d6 with flexible piece development. Often reached via Najdorf move orders.
Semi-Slav Defense
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 — the fighting Slav. Combines solid structure with sharp counterplay (Meran, Botvinnik, Anti-Meran).
Traxler Counterattack
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 — Black plays 4...Bc5!? sacrificing material for a vicious attack on f2.
Two Knights Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 — Black develops the knight aggressively, leading to sharp Italian-Game lines (Fried Liver, Traxler, Polerio).
Vienna Gambit
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.