Chess Opening Explorer

Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack

1. b3

A hypermodern approach fianchettoing the queen bishop immediately. Very flexible.

Bird's Opening

1. f4

An offbeat opening controlling e5 and preparing kingside expansion. Leads to unique positions.

Réti Opening

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3

A hypermodern opening delaying central pawn moves in favor of piece development.

King's Indian Attack

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bg4

A reversed King's Indian setup. Flexible and can be played against many defenses.

English Opening

1. c4

A flexible flank opening controlling d5 and often transposing to d4 openings.

English: Reversed Sicilian

1. c4 e5

White plays a Sicilian Defense with an extra tempo, aiming for positional play.

English: Symmetrical

1. c4 c5

Both sides play c-pawns, leading to Sicilian-reversed structures with colors swapped.

Trompowsky Attack

1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5

An aggressive system pinning the knight immediately. Avoids heavy theory and leads to original positions.

Torre Attack

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5

Similar to the London but with the bishop on g5, creating pin possibilities.

Benoni Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6

Black creates an asymmetrical pawn structure with queenside space and attacking chances.

Anti-Benoni: Taimanov Attack

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. f4

An aggressive system against the Benoni. White plays f4 to control e5 and prepare a kingside attack.

Dutch Defense

1. d4 f5

An aggressive defense aiming for kingside attacking chances. Unbalances the position early.

Anti-Dutch: Staunton Gambit

1. d4 f5 2. e4

A sharp gambit against the Dutch. White sacrifices the e-pawn for rapid development and attacking chances.

Owen's Defense

1. e4 b6

A rare but playable defense fianchettoing the queen bishop. Leads to unusual positions.

Anti-Scandinavian: Leonhardt Gambit

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. Bc4

An aggressive gambit response to the Scandinavian Defense. White develops rapidly with tempo, targeting the weak f7 square while Black's queen is exposed on a5.

Scandinavian Defense

1. e4 d5

An immediate challenge to the e4 pawn. Simple to learn but requires accurate play.

Alekhine's Defense

1. e4 Nf6

Black provokes White's pawns forward, planning to attack the overextended center later.

Modern Defense

1. e4 g6

Black delays Nf6, allowing White more space but aiming for flexible counterplay.

Pirc Defense

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6

A hypermodern defense where Black allows White to build a center before attacking it.

Anti-Pirc: Austrian Attack

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4

The most aggressive response to the Pirc. White builds a massive pawn center and prepares e5.

Caro-Kann Defense

1. e4 c6

A solid defense similar to the French but avoiding the blocked bishop. Known for its reliability.

Anti-Caro-Kann: Advance Variation

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5

White gains space with e5. Similar to the French Advance but Black's bishop is outside the pawn chain on c8.

Anti-Caro-Kann: Panov-Botvinnik Attack

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 cxd5 4. c4

White creates an isolated queen pawn position, leading to dynamic play. Named after Vasily Panov and Mikhail Botvinnik.

Caro-Kann: Classical

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5

The main line where Black develops the light-squared bishop actively before playing e6.

Sicilian Defense

1. e4 c5

Black's most popular response to 1.e4, creating asymmetrical positions with winning chances for both sides.

Anti-Sicilian: Smith-Morra Gambit

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3

A sharp gambit where White sacrifices a pawn for rapid development and open lines. Popular at club level for its attacking potential.

Anti-Sicilian: Alapin Variation

1. e4 c5 2. c3

A solid Anti-Sicilian that prepares d4 without allowing Black typical Sicilian counterplay. Less theoretical than the Open Sicilian.

Anti-Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack

1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 Nc6 3. f4

An aggressive system where White plays f4 early, aiming for a kingside attack. Named after the Grand Prix tournament circuit where it was popular.

Sicilian Defense: Classical

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6

A solid Sicilian setup developing pieces naturally before committing to a plan.

Sicilian Defense: Dragon

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6

Black fianchettoes the bishop to g7, creating a powerful diagonal and dynamic play.

Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6

A flexible pawn structure allowing Black to choose between various setups.

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6

The most popular Sicilian variation, offering Black flexibility and counterattacking chances.

French Defense

1. e4 e6

A solid defense where Black builds a strong pawn chain and aims for counterplay on the queenside.

Anti-French: Advance Variation

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5

White gains space with e5, creating a pawn chain. Leads to strategic battles focused on pawn structure.

Anti-French: Tarrasch Variation

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2

A flexible system avoiding the pin on Nc3. White maintains options between e5 and exd5.

French Defense: Winawer

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4

An aggressive French variation where Black pins the knight and fights for the initiative.

Vienna Game

1. e4 e5 2. Nc3

A flexible opening that can transpose to various systems. Often leads to f4 ideas.

King's Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. f4

A romantic-era gambit sacrificing a pawn for open lines and attacking chances against the black king.

Philidor Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6

A solid but passive defense. Black maintains the e5 pawn at the cost of space.

Petrov Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6

A symmetrical defense known for its solidity. Popular at the highest levels of chess.

Scotch Game

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4

An open game where White immediately challenges the center, leading to tactical positions.

Four Knights Game

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6

A symmetrical opening leading to balanced positions with equal chances.

Italian Game

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4

A classical opening focusing on rapid development and control of the center. White aims to put pressure on f7.

Evans Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4

An aggressive gambit sacrificing a pawn for rapid development and attacking chances.

Italian Game: Giuoco Piano

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3

The "Quiet Game" - White prepares d4 to build a strong pawn center while maintaining piece activity.

Ruy Lopez

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5

The Spanish Game - one of the oldest and most respected openings, offering long-term strategic play.

Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O

The main line of the Ruy Lopez, leading to rich strategic middlegame positions.

London System

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4

A solid, easy-to-learn system. White develops the dark-squared bishop before playing e3.

Colle System

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3

A solid system building a pawn triangle on d4-e3-c3. Easy to learn with clear plans.

Queen's Gambit

1. d4 d5 2. c4

White offers a pawn to gain central control. Not a true gambit as the pawn can be recovered.

Slav Defense

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6

A solid defense supporting d5 with c6 while keeping the light-squared bishop free.

Queen's Gambit Accepted

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4

Black accepts the pawn. White gets central control and aims to recover the pawn with advantage.

Semi-Slav Defense

1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6

Combining Slav solidity with French-like ideas. One of the most complex opening systems.

Grünfeld Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5

Black immediately strikes at the center with d5, leading to sharp theoretical positions.

Anti-Grünfeld: Exchange Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nxd5 5. e4

The main line against the Grünfeld. White establishes a powerful pawn center that Black will try to undermine.

Catalan Opening

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3

White fianchettoes the light-squared bishop, combining d4 ideas with a strong diagonal.

Bogo-Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+

A solid alternative to the Nimzo when White plays Nf3 instead of Nc3.

Queen's Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6

A flexible defense fianchettoing the queen bishop. Solid and positionally oriented.

Nimzo-Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4

One of the most respected defenses. Black pins the knight and fights for control of e4.

Anti-Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3

A solid response to the Nimzo-Indian. White develops the dark-squared bishop after e3 and maintains a flexible pawn structure.

King's Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7

A fighting defense where Black allows White to build a center, then counterattacks.

Anti-King's Indian: Four Pawns Attack

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f4

The most aggressive response to the King's Indian. White builds a massive pawn center but must be careful of overextension.

Anti-King's Indian: Sämisch

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3

A solid system where White builds a strong center with f3. Popular with positional players who want to avoid sharp theory.

King's Indian: Classical

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5

The main line where Black strikes at the center with e5, creating dynamic play.

Amar Opening

1. Nh3

Amar Opening: Paris Gambit

1. Nh3 d5 2. g3 e5 3. f4

Amar Opening: Paris Gambit, Gent Gambit

1. Nh3 d5 2. g3 e5 3. f4 Bxh3 4. Bxh3 exf4 5. O-O fxg3 6. hxg3

Amsterdam Attack

1. e3 e5 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. b3 Nf6

Anderssen's Opening

1. a3

Anderssen's Opening: Polish Gambit

1. a3 a5 2. b4

Barnes Opening

1. f3

Barnes Opening: Fool's Mate

1. f3 e5 2. g4 Qh4#

Barnes Opening: Gedult Gambit

1. f3 d5 2. e4 g6 3. d4 dxe4 4. c3

Barnes Opening: Hammerschlag

1. f3 e5 2. Kf2

Clemenz Opening

1. h3

Clemenz Opening: Spike Lee Gambit

1. h3 h5 2. g4

Creepy Crawly Formation: Classical Defense

1. h3 d5 2. a3 e5

Formation: Hippopotamus Attack

1. a3 e5 2. b3 d5 3. c3 Nf6 4. d3 Nc6 5. e3 Bd6 6. f3 O-O 7. g3

Formation: Shy Attack

1. a3 e5 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 Nf6 4. d3 Nc6 5. Nd2 Bd6 6. e3 O-O 7. h3

Global Opening

1. h3 e5 2. a3

Grob Opening

1. g4

Grob Opening: Alessi Gambit

1. g4 f5

Grob Opening: Double Grob

1. g4 g5

Grob Opening: Double Grob, Coca-Cola Gambit

1. g4 g5 2. f4

Grob Opening: Grob Gambit

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2

Grob Opening: Grob Gambit Declined

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 c6

Grob Opening: Grob Gambit, Basman Gambit

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 h5 3. gxh5

Grob Opening: Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 Bxg4 3. c4

Grob Opening: Grob Gambit, Fritz Gambit, Romford Countergambit

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 Bxg4 3. c4 d4 4. Bxb7 Nd7 5. Bxa8 Qxa8

Grob Opening: Grob Gambit, Keres Gambit

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 e5 3. d4 exd4 4. c3

Grob Opening: Grob Gambit, Richter-Grob Gambit

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 c6 3. c4 dxc4 4. b3

Grob Opening: Keene Defense

1. g4 d5 2. h3 e5 3. Bg2 c6

Grob Opening: Keene Defense, Main Line

1. g4 d5 2. h3 e5 3. Bg2 c6 4. d4 e4 5. c4 Bd6 6. Nc3 Ne7

Grob Opening: London Defense

1. g4 e5 2. h3 Nc6

Grob Opening: Romford Countergambit

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 Bxg4 3. c4 d4

Grob Opening: Spike Attack

1. g4 d5 2. Bg2 c6 3. g5

Grob Opening: Spike, Hurst Attack

1. g4 e5 2. Bg2 d5 3. c4

Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit

1. g4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3

Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit, Schiller Defense

1. g4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 h5

Grob Opening: Zilbermints Gambit, Zilbermints-Hartlaub Gambit

1. g4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 e5 4. d3