Chess Openings: A Taster

Part I
 Philidor’s Defence

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 d6

Basic Theme: A solid system for Black but one that

has lost popularity due to its passive nature. In
particular Black’s King’s Bishop is blocked by the
pawn on d6 and is relegated to a defensive role.
White can either opt for active piece play with Bc4
or expand in the centre with an immediate d4.
Philidor’s Defence is normally played to avoid the
Pros:
complications that ensue after 2…Nc6, thereby
 A cagey and solid system, Black staunchly defends e5.
 Avoids opening theory and complications that ensue after 2…Nc6.
preventing White from playing more elaborate
openings.
Cons:

 Black’s King’s Bishop is blocked in and relegated to a defensive

role.
 Black’s position can become awkward and cramped due to
White’s spatial superiority and active control of the centre.
 Italian Game

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

Basic Theme: White opts for fluid piece

development, deploying a Bishop on c4 and
Black replies in kind. This opening is also
known as the ‘Quiet Game’ (or Giuoco Piano).
White usually follows with natural moves like
Pros:
d3, 0-0, Nc3 and Bg5. Players seeking a more
 Promotes fluid piece development.
 Simple ideas make the opening relatively easy to learn.
dynamic and exciting game can play the Evan’s
Gambit on the next move (4 b4).
Cons:

 White’s advantage is often minimal in the opening

 Black can usually obtain equality by playing natural developing
moves.
 Two Knights’ Defence

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Nf6

Basic Theme: A flexible opening system for

Black. White can either play natural developing
moves and transpose into the Italian Game or play
the dangerous 4 Ng5. This breaks the rule of
moving the same piece twice in the opening, but
Pros:
initiates an early attack on the Black King that is
not easy to repel. However, Black can often
 A flexible opening system for Black that often transposes into the
Italian Game. sacrifice a Pawn in exchange for a lead in
 Black can sacrifice a pawn in exchange for a lead in development development. Black should avoid the line that
in the main line.
leads into the well known Fried Liver Attack
Cons:
(where White sacrifices a Knight to expose Black’s
 White can initiate a deadly trap with 4 Ng5 and Black must know King).
how to defend this line
 Black has a rich choice of variations to adopt.
 Ruy Lopez (or Spanish Game)
Pros:
 One of the oldest and most reliable opening systems for White.
 White’s bishop is difficult to shake off.
 Early and enduring pressure is exerted against Black’s King Pawn.
Cons:
 Many variations require subtle play and can be difficult to learn.
 Black has a rich choice of variations to adopt.
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5
Basic Theme: White’s Bishop puts pressure on the
Black Knight and indirectly attacks the Pawn on
e5. This opening requires subtle play from both
sides. White undertakes long term strategic
manoeuvres and prepares to occupy the centre with
c3 and d4. Black can adopt numerous defensive
systems with varying plans. However, this opening
remains popular at the highest level of play and is
recognized as an effective system that is capable of
providing White with an enduring advantage.
 King’s Gambit

1. e4 e5
2. f4

Basic Theme: White announces war and initiates a

Pros:
 A powerful weapon in the hands of an attacking player.
 Attacks involving sacrifices are not easy to predict and therefore
difficult to defend against.
violent assault on the Kingside. White intends to
overwhelm Black from the outset and is not afraid
to sacrifice material to do so. Black’s options
include accepting the Gambit with 2…fxe4,
declining the pawn with 2…Bc5 (Classical
Defence) or countering with another Gambit line
(3…d5). Either way, this opening is full of
complications and is not for the faint-hearted.

Cons:

 White’s attack may prove premature and the style of play required
to play this well often involves taking extreme risks.
 Due to the volatile nature of this opening, King safety is often
neglected or compromised, leading to double-edged positions.
 French Defence

1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5

Basic Theme: Black adopts trench warfare in this

solid opening. Black allows White to build a Pawn
Centre, then immediately lashes out with 2…d5.
White can cramp Black’s Knight on the Kingside
with e5, but Black gains space on the Queenside
with c5. In many variations, White enjoys
superiority on the Kingside, while Black is better
Pros:
on the Queenside. White’s advanced Pawn
 A solid system that has surprising sting in many variations.
 Black gains space with c5 and is often better on the queenside.
structure can be used to tie up Black in the
middlegame but often becomes a target in the
Cons:
endgame.
 White maintains superior development on the Kingside, where
Black’s Knight is often cramped by a Pawn on e5.
 Black’s ‘bad’ Bishop (on c8) is problematic and difficult to
activate.
 Caro-Kann Defence

1. e4 e5
2. c6 d5

Basic Theme: A ‘safe’ opening formation, where

Black typically waits for White to make a mistake
before launching countermeasures. Black
challenges White’s Centre but does not commit to
definite action until White’s plan is revealed.
White has the edge in most lines but is often in
Pros:
danger of becoming over-extended. This opening
 A ‘safe’, elusive and flexible system for Black is often employed when Black seeks a drawn
 White can become over-extended by pushing too hard for a win.
result.
Cons:

 Tends to lead to drawish positions

 Has been criticized for being too passive
 Sicilian Defence

1. e4 c5

Basic Theme: By far, the most popular defence to

Pros:
 A counter-punching opening that often leads to sharp, tactical play
from both sides.
 Black can choose from a plethora of variations: Dragon,
Kalashnikov and Poison Pawn variations are but a few of these.
‘1 e4’ at competitive level, and statistically more
likely to produce a decisive result. Black
announces his intention to fight aggressively from
the outset and spurns a symmetrical defence.
Dynamic play from Black and the imbalance
created in the centre makes for a lively and exciting
battle. Due to its popularity, more theory has been
written on this opening than any other.

Cons:

 White has active piece-play and greater control in the centre.

 It is easy to get lost in the labyrinth of possible variations that can
arise from this extremely versatile opening.
 Alekhine’s Defence

1. e4 Nf6

Basic Theme: A truly hypermodern opening, Black

provokes White into advancing the ‘e’ Pawn.
Subsequently, Black’s Knight is often chased
around the board while White builds a large Pawn
Centre mass. Black then seeks to exploit
weaknesses in White’s advanced pawn formation.
However, Black’s Knight has been dislodged from
Pros:
its natural defensive post at f6. This unorthodox
 A sharp, unorthodox opening that catches many by surprise.
 White can easily become over-extended, making it easier for
opening frequently leads to sharp play where
Black to dismantle the Pawn Centre. tactical opportunities arise for both sides.
Cons:

 White gains space and control of the centre.

 Black’s Knight has been dislodged from it natural post at f6. This
removes an important defender from the Kingside.