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Opening Principles Part 2
Evaluation of Openings

Openings are evaluated based on the positions reached upon best play from both sides. An opening for
White cannot be respected unless it guarantees White an equal or slightly better middlegame. Trying to
secure an opening advantage as White is beneficial, but not necessary at all. You can reach a position that
is evaluated to be equal, yet have a practical advantage if understand the position well. Many “equal”
positions can favor one side. For example, there could be a position in which White exerts overwhelming
pressure on Black and threatens tricky tactics. Yet this position could be evaluated as equal if, upon best
play from Black, White achieves no advantage. In an actual game, who would be in danger in this “equal”
position? Obviously, Black would be under pressure whereas White would have to play very poorly to lose
equality. This would likely lead to a time advantage on the clock.

Openings should also be evaluated based on how comfortable the resulting positions are. Of course,
opening evaluations take into account statics and dynamics of the position. All positional aspects, tactical
potential, future targets, etc. are taken into consideration. Good openings for White should guarantee
equal or slightly advantageous positions whereas good openings for Black should guarantee an equal or
almost equal position that is comfortable to play.

Openings such as the Latvian Gambit (1.e4 e5 Nf3 f5) violate principles and lead to positions that are risky
or outright worse for Black. The Latvian Gambit brings Black close to a loss right out of the opening.

Opening Planning

A plan is often just a group of moves that go well together. Both planning and evaluation require
understanding beyond just calculation. Planning in the opening is not difficult if you understand opening
principles and goals. Typical plans include: developing rapidly, preventing the opponent from developing,
trying to grab more territory in the center, reducing the opponent’s influence in the center, castling safely,
trying to prevent the opponent from castling, trying to capitalize on a space advantage, provoking
weaknesses in your opponent’s territory, attacking weaknesses, etc.

Opening Pawn Structures

While there are many different pawn structures in chess, the most fundamental structures to understand
include isolated pawns, doubled pawns, backwards pawns, hanging pawns, and passed pawns. It is also
important to understand concepts regarding how open or closed an opening position is. Knowing specific
pawn structures such as the Carlsbad pawn structure can be useful too, although this is more relevant for
players who are 1500+ FIDE than players who are still near 900 or 1200 FIDE. The next step after
understanding the opening principles is to learn basic openings and the ideas behind them, which will be
covered in future live lessons and in future written lectures as well.

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