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Chess Openings
Meet the most important chess openings — their ideas, plans, and key lines — then drill them move by move.
How this course works
Openings are grouped by White's first move and judged by their plans.
Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 — natural development with the bishop aimed at f7.
- The big ideaWhat the Italian Game is really about.Learn
- The quiet Italian, move by moveStep through the Giuoco Pianissimo main line.Replay
- Why Bc4?The point of the Italian bishop.Quiz
- Where is the bishop aiming?Read the diagonal.Sort
- Play it: the Italian as WhiteReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The sharper d4 breakFighting for the centre with c3 and d4.Replay
- The Evans GambitSacrificing a pawn for fast development.Replay
- Punish the greedy bishopA famous Italian trap.Puzzle
Ruy Lopez
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 — patient pressure on the knight that guards e5.
- The big ideaWhat the Ruy Lopez is really about.Learn
- The Closed Ruy Lopez, move by moveStep through the Morphy Defence main line.Replay
- Why Bb5?The point of the Spanish bishop.Quiz
- Which knight is under fire?Read the diagonal.Sort
- Play it: the Ruy Lopez as WhiteReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Exchange VariationTrading on c6 for a structural edge.Replay
- The Berlin DefenceBlack's rock-solid early ...Nf6.Replay
Scotch Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 — open the centre at once for fast, active piece play.
- The big ideaWhat the Scotch Game is really about.Learn
- The Scotch, move by moveStep through the 4...Nf6 main line.Replay
- Why 3.d4?The point of the early central break.Quiz
- What does d4 strike at?Read the centre.Sort
- Play it: the Scotch as WhiteReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Classical VariationBlack answers with the active 4...Bc5.Replay
Four Knights Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 — both sides develop all four knights for a sound, classical game.
- The big ideaWhat the Four Knights Game is really about.Learn
- The Four Knights, move by moveStep through the Spanish Four Knights main line.Replay
- What is the Four Knights about?The point of the symmetry.Quiz
- Read the positionWhat has happened by move three?Sort
- Play it: the Four Knights as WhiteReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Scotch Four KnightsStriking in the centre with d4.Replay
Petroff Defence
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 — Black counterattacks e4 instead of defending e5 for a solid, symmetrical game.
- The big ideaWhat the Petroff Defence is really about.Learn
- The Petroff, move by moveStep through the Classical Variation main line.Replay
- Why 2...Nf6?The point of the Petroff.Quiz
- Read the ideaWhat is 2...Nf6 doing?Sort
- Play it: the Petroff as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Steinitz 3.d4White strikes the centre instead of grabbing e5.Replay
- The Marshall TrapA famous Petroff trap.Puzzle
King's Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.f4 — White offers a pawn to rip open the f-file and seize the initiative.
- The big ideaWhat the King's Gambit is really about.Learn
- The King's Gambit, move by moveStep through the Kieseritzky Gambit main line.Replay
- Why 2.f4?The point of the gambit.Quiz
- Read the offerWhat is 2.f4 offering?Sort
- Play it: the King's Gambit as WhiteReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The King's Gambit DeclinedSidestepping the gambit with ...Bc5.Replay
Vienna Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 — develop the knight first and keep f4 in reserve.
- The big ideaWhat the Vienna Game is really about.Learn
- The quiet main line, move by moveA calm, Italian-like build-up.Replay
- Why 2.Nc3?The point of the knight move.Quiz
- How does White start?Spot the Vienna move.Sort
- Play it: the Vienna as WhiteReproduce the quiet main line.Drill
- The Vienna GambitStrike with f4.Replay
Sicilian Defence
1.e4 c5 — Black's most ambitious reply, fighting for an unbalanced game.
- The big ideaWhat the Sicilian Defence is really about.Learn
- The Najdorf, move by moveStep through the Open Sicilian main line.Replay
- Why the Sicilian?What Black is really after.Quiz
- The defining pawnSpot the Sicilian pawn.Sort
- Play it: the Najdorf as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Alapin (2.c3)A solid anti-Sicilian set-up.Replay
- The Najdorf: 6.Bg5 main lineThe sharpest test of the Najdorf.Replay
- Facing the Rossolimo (3.Bb5)An anti-Sicilian bishop sortie.Replay
- The Siberian TrapAn aggressive anti-Sicilian backfires.Puzzle
Alapin Sicilian (2.c3)
1.e4 c5 2.c3 — meet the Sicilian by building a big centre with d4.
- The big ideaWhat the Alapin Sicilian (2.c3) is really about.Learn
- vs 2...d5, move by moveAn easy IQP-style game.Replay
- What is 2.c3 for?The point of the pawn move.Quiz
- How does White meet the Sicilian?Spot the Alapin move.Sort
- Play it: the Alapin as WhiteReproduce the 2...d5 line.Drill
- vs 2...Nf6When Black attacks e4.Replay
French Defence
1.e4 e6 — a solid, resilient reply that strikes back with ...d5 and ...c5.
- The big ideaWhat the French Defence is really about.Learn
- The Advance Variation, move by moveStep through the French Advance main line.Replay
- Why the French?The trade-off Black accepts.Quiz
- The freeing breakSpot the key pawn move.Sort
- Play it: the French as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Winawer VariationThe sharpest French main line.Replay
- The Classical VariationDeveloping with ...Nf6 and ...Be7.Replay
- The Tarrasch VariationWhite's flexible 3.Nd2.Replay
Caro-Kann Defence
1.e4 c6 — solid like the French, but the light-squared bishop gets out first.
- The big ideaWhat the Caro-Kann Defence is really about.Learn
- The Classical Variation, move by moveStep through the Caro-Kann Classical main line.Replay
- Why the Caro-Kann?How it improves on the French.Quiz
- The happy bishopSpot the freed piece.Sort
- Play it: the Caro-Kann as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Advance VariationMeeting the space-grabbing e5.Replay
- The Panov-Botvinnik AttackAn open, dynamic IQP fight.Replay
- Smothered mate!A famous Caro-Kann trap.Puzzle
Scandinavian Defence
1.e4 d5 — challenge the king's pawn at once, then develop fast.
- The big ideaWhat the Scandinavian Defence is really about.Learn
- The Main Line, move by moveStep through the 3...Qa5 main line.Replay
- What is Black doing?The point of 1...d5.Quiz
- How does Black reply?Spot the first move.Sort
- Play it: the Scandinavian as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Modern (2...Nf6)Recapturing with the knight instead.Replay
Alekhine Defence
1.e4 Nf6 — provoke White's pawns forward, then attack the overextended centre.
- The big ideaWhat the Alekhine Defence is really about.Learn
- The Modern Variation, move by moveStep through the Modern main line.Replay
- What is Black doing?The hypermodern idea.Quiz
- The invitationWhat Black is inviting.Sort
- Play it: the Alekhine as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Four Pawns AttackMeeting White's most ambitious set-up.Replay
Pirc Defence
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 — fianchetto, castle, and hit the centre later.
- The big ideaWhat the Pirc Defence is really about.Learn
- The Classical Variation, move by moveStep through the Pirc Classical main line.Replay
- What is Black doing?The hypermodern plan.Quiz
- The Pirc set-upSpot the plan.Sort
- Play it: the Pirc as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Austrian AttackMeeting White's most aggressive try.Replay
★ Checkpoint: 1.e4 Openings
A quick idea check on the King's Pawn openings — recognize them and recall what each side is really after.
Queen's Gambit Declined
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 — declining the gambit with a solid, classical wall.
- The big ideaWhat the Queen's Gambit Declined is really about.Learn
- The QGD, move by moveStep through the classical main line.Replay
- What does 'declining' mean?The idea behind ...e6.Quiz
- How does Black decline?Spot the supporting move.Sort
- Play it: the QGD as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Exchange VariationClarifying the centre with cxd5.Replay
- Facing the CatalanMeeting White's kingside fianchetto.Replay
- The Elephant TrapGreedy pawn-grabbing punished.Puzzle
Slav Defence
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 — solid like the QGD, but the light bishop stays free.
- The big ideaWhat the Slav Defence is really about.Learn
- The Slav, move by moveStep through the main line.Replay
- Why ...c6, not ...e6?The point of the Slav.Quiz
- How does the Slav differ from the QGD?Spot the supporting pawn.Sort
- Play it: the Slav as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Exchange VariationA symmetrical, solid line.Replay
King's Indian Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 — hypermodern: let White build, then strike with ...e5.
- The big ideaWhat the King's Indian Defence is really about.Learn
- The King's Indian, move by moveStep through the Classical Variation.Replay
- What is hypermodern play?The big idea of the KID.Quiz
- Black's main counterstrikeSpot the central break.Sort
- Play it: the KID as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Fianchetto VariationWhen White fianchettoes too.Replay
- The Sämisch VariationBuilding a wall with f3.Replay
Nimzo-Indian Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 — pin the knight and fight for the e4-square.
- The big ideaWhat the Nimzo-Indian Defence is really about.Learn
- The Rubinstein, move by moveStep through the solid Rubinstein main line.Replay
- Why ...Bb4?The point of the pin.Quiz
- Which knight is pinned?Read the pin.Sort
- Play it: the Nimzo as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Classical Qc2 lineDefending c3 in advance with the queen.Replay
London System
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 — the same easy, solid set-up against almost anything.
- The big ideaWhat the London System is really about.Learn
- The London setup, move by moveStep through the main set-up against ...d5.Replay
- Why play the London?The appeal of a system.Quiz
- The signature moveSpot the London bishop.Sort
- Play it: the London as WhiteReproduce the main set-up move by move.Drill
- The London vs a fianchettoThe same set-up against a King's-Indian formation.Replay
- Meeting ...c5 and ...Qb6Defusing the pressure on b2.Replay
Queen's Gambit (for White)
1.d4 d5 2.c4 — the classical main-line weapon for White. How to meet Black declining, accepting, and the Slav.
- The big ideaWhat the Queen's Gambit (for White) is really about.Learn
- Declined: the main line, move by movePressure d5 and build the centre.Replay
- Is the pawn really sacrificed?What 2.c4 is really for.Quiz
- How does White start?Spot the Queen's Gambit move.Sort
- Play it: the Queen's Gambit as WhiteReproduce the Declined main line.Drill
- Accepted (2...dxc4)Don't rush to recapture.Replay
- vs the Slav (2...c6)When Black keeps the bishop free.Replay
Queen's Gambit Accepted
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 — take the pawn, develop freely, and hit back with ...c5.
- The big ideaWhat the Queen's Gambit Accepted is really about.Learn
- The Queen's Gambit Accepted, move by moveStep through the main line.Replay
- Why take on c4?The real point of accepting.Quiz
- What is Black after?Read Black's plan.Sort
- Play it: the QGA as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Central Variation (3.e4)When White grabs the whole centre.Replay
Semi-Slav Defence
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 — d5 propped up by both ...c6 and ...e6.
- The big ideaWhat the Semi-Slav Defence is really about.Learn
- The Semi-Slav, move by moveStep through the Meran main line.Replay
- How is d5 held?The Semi-Slav's solid core.Quiz
- Reading the centreWhat holds d5?Sort
- Play it: the Semi-Slav as BlackReproduce the Meran move by move.Drill
- The Botvinnik Variation (5.Bg5)The sharpest battleground.Replay
Queen's Indian Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 — fianchetto the bishop and fight for e4.
- The big ideaWhat the Queen's Indian Defence is really about.Learn
- The Queen's Indian, move by moveStep through the main line.Replay
- Why ...b6?The hypermodern idea.Quiz
- Where does the bishop go?Place the fianchettoed bishop.Sort
- Play it: the Queen's Indian as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The 4...Ba6 lineHitting the c4-pawn directly.Replay
Bogo-Indian Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+ — a flexible check that eases development.
- The big ideaWhat the Bogo-Indian Defence is really about.Learn
- The Bogo-Indian, move by moveStep through the main line.Replay
- Why ...Bb4+?The point of the check.Quiz
- Black's third moveName the defining move.Sort
- Play it: the Bogo-Indian as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Nimzowitsch line (4.Nbd2)Blocking the check with the knight.Replay
Grünfeld Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 — invite the big centre, then attack it.
- The big ideaWhat the Grünfeld Defence is really about.Learn
- The Exchange Variation, move by moveStep through the main line of the Grünfeld.Replay
- What's Black's plan?The hypermodern idea.Quiz
- Allow, then attackName the Grünfeld plan.Sort
- Play it: the Grünfeld as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Russian SystemWhite's queen sortie to b3.Replay
Benoni Defence
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 — trade space for dynamic counterplay.
- The big ideaWhat the Benoni Defence is really about.Learn
- The Modern Benoni, move by moveStep through the main line of the Modern Benoni.Replay
- What does Black get?Space versus activity.Quiz
- The Benoni bargainName what Black gets.Sort
- Play it: the Benoni as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Fianchetto VariationWhite meets the Benoni with g3.Replay
Benko Gambit
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 — give a pawn for lasting queenside pressure.
- The big ideaWhat the Benko Gambit is really about.Learn
- The Benko Accepted, move by moveStep through the main line of the Benko Gambit.Replay
- What's the pawn for?The compensation.Quiz
- The Benko compensationName what Black gains.Sort
- Play it: the Benko as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- Declined with 4.Nf3White sidesteps the gambit.Replay
Dutch Defence
1.d4 f5 — stake a kingside claim and fight for the e4-square.
- The big ideaWhat the Dutch Defence is really about.Learn
- The Classical Dutch, move by moveStep through the Classical Variation.Replay
- Why 1...f5?The point of the move.Quiz
- Which square?Read the f5-pawn.Sort
- Play it: the Dutch as BlackReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Leningrad VariationThe Dutch with a kingside fianchetto.Replay
★ Checkpoint: 1.d4 Openings
An idea check on the Queen's Pawn openings — the plans behind the King's Indian, London, Queen's Gambit, and Nimzo.
English Opening
1.c4 — controlling the centre from the flank and fighting for d5.
- The big ideaWhat the English Opening is really about.Learn
- The Symmetrical English, move by moveStep through the Symmetrical main line.Replay
- Why 1.c4?The point of the flank pawn.Quiz
- Which square does c4 fight for?Read the pawn's reach.Sort
- Play it: the English as WhiteReproduce the Symmetrical main line move by move.Drill
- The Reversed SicilianWhen Black grabs the centre with ...e5.Replay
Réti Opening
1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 — pressure the centre from the flank, with a fianchetto.
- The big ideaWhat the Réti Opening is really about.Learn
- The Main Line, move by moveStep through the Réti main line.Replay
- What is White doing?The hypermodern idea.Quiz
- Pressure from afarSpot the method.Sort
- Play it: the Réti as WhiteReproduce the main line move by move.Drill
- The Advance (2...d4)When Black pushes past with ...d4.Replay
Larsen's Opening
1.b3 — fianchetto the queen's bishop and fight for the centre from the flank.
- The big ideaWhat the Larsen's Opening is really about.Learn
- The Nimzo-Larsen, move by moveStep through the classical 1...e5 line.Replay
- Why 1.b3?The point of the fianchetto.Quiz
- Where does the bishop go?Spot the fianchetto.Sort
- Play it: Larsen's OpeningReproduce the main line as White.Drill
- Against 1...d5A Bird-like reversed setup.Replay
★ Checkpoint: Flank Openings & Repertoire
The flank openings, plus the meta-skills: building a compact repertoire and handling surprises.