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.
Alapin Opening
1.e4 c5 2.c3 — the most popular anti-Sicilian. Skip the theory of the Open Sicilian, build a strong center with d4.
Alapin Sicilian
White's 2.c3 against the Sicilian. Skips the deep theory of the Open Sicilian and builds a classical center with d4.
Alien Gambit
A modern internet-famous gambit against the Caro-Kann. Sacrifices material for a fierce attack — mostly a surprise weapon.
Bird Opening
1.f4 — the From-the-side opening. Aims for kingside attack but weakens White's king slightly.
Bishop's Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 — develops the bishop early to its best diagonal, often transposing into the Italian or Vienna.
Catalan Opening
The Catalan combines a Queen's Gambit setup with a fianchetto bishop on g2. Long-term pressure, technical positions, world championship favorite.
Center Game
1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 — old-fashioned but playable. Recapture with the queen and develop quickly.
Colle System
A simple system for White: d4, Nf3, e3, c3, Bd3, Nbd2. Easier than the London but slightly less flexible.
Danish Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3!? — sacrifice up to two pawns for raging attack down the e- and d-files.
English Opening
1.c4 — a flexible flank opening that can transpose into many setups. Favored by world champions Botvinnik, Karpov, and Kramnik.
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.
Four Knights Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 — symmetrical and easy to play. Both sides develop knights before committing.
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.
Grob Opening
1.g4!? — almost universally considered bad, but a notorious surprise weapon online. Trick or be tricked.
Italian Game
A classical opening starting 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. Develops naturally, fights for the center, and aims at the f7 weakness. The most beginner-friendly serious opening.
Jobava London
The aggressive London cousin: 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4. Sacrifices solidity for kingside attacking chances.
King's Gambit
The romantic-era classic: 1.e4 e5 2.f4. White sacrifices a pawn to rip open the f-file and attack the king.
London System
The Bf4 system: play d4, Nf3, Bf4, e3, Bd3, c3, Nbd2 against almost any Black response. Easy to learn, very hard to crack.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack
1.b3 — fianchetto the queen's bishop and attack the center from the flank. Played by Larsen and Carlsen.
Polish Opening
1.b4 — also called the Orangutan or Sokolsky. Grabs queenside space with a quirky pawn move.
Ponziani Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 — old-school surprise weapon that prepares d4 and sets several tactical traps.
Queen's Gambit
The cornerstone of classical chess: 1.d4 d5 2.c4. White offers a pawn for central control. Featured in The Queen's Gambit Netflix series.
Reti Opening
1.Nf3 with a flexible kingside fianchetto. Hypermodern attack on the center from the flanks.
Ruy Lopez
One of the oldest and deepest openings in chess: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. White pressures the e5 pawn and plays for long-term positional advantage.
Scotch Game
Open lines fast: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4. White trades the d-pawn for active piece play and a clear plan.
Smith-Morra Gambit
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3!? — White sacrifices a pawn to dodge Sicilian theory and get fast development.
Stonewall Attack
White builds a pawn wall on d4, e3, f4 and attacks with Ne5 and Qh5. Strategic but committal.
Torre Attack
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 — the dark-squared sister of the London. Pin the f6 knight and play flexibly.
Trompowsky Attack
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 — immediate pressure on the f6 knight. Avoids tons of Black's d4 theory.
Veresov Attack
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5 — the queenside cousin of the Trompowsky. Aggressive but theoretically dubious.
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.
Vienna Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 — flexible system that often transposes into a King's Gambit-style attack with f4.