Chess Openings
23 chess openings, from classics like the Sicilian, the Ruy Lopez and the Queen's Gambit to the sharpest gambits. Each page shows the main variations on diagrams, with advice for your rating.
Each opening page walks through the main line move by move, the variations you will actually meet, and the typical plans for both sides; 10 of them also show a classic trap on the board. The “Train this opening” button opens the ChessAtlas course library, where FSRS spaced repetition schedules your reviews so the moves stick.
Not sure where to start? Beginners do well with classical setups like the Italian Game or the London System, while club players usually gain the most from sharpening one defense against 1. e4 and one against 1. d4. Use the filters below to narrow the list by color, style, or difficulty.
Already know your lines? Practice your openings from memory, move by move, in the free chess opening trainer.
For Black
French Defense
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5
A solid, strategic answer to 1.e4 with a clear game plan.
Sicilian Defense
1.e4 c5
The fighting answer to 1.e4 that gives Black real winning chances from move one.
Caro-Kann Defense
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5
Solid, resilient, and a Karpov classic still played at the top by Firouzja and Ding Liren. The structure-first answer to 1.e4.
Scandinavian Defense
1.e4 d5
The fastest way to challenge e4. Direct, tactical, and easy to learn.
Petrov Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6
The 'symmetric' defense. Rock-solid and endorsed at the World Championship level.
Wayward Queen Attack
1.e4 e5 2.Qh5
White's queen comes out on move two. Defend e5 and f7, then develop with tempo on the queen and take over the game.
Traxler Counter Attack
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5
Black's sharpest reply to 4.Ng5: let White take on f7 and hit back at f2. Forcing, risky, and only good if you know the lines.
Queen's Gambit Accepted
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4
Accept the gambit pawn and get an open, playable middlegame. A reliable Black defense.
Queen's Gambit Declined
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6
The bulletproof answer to 1.d4. Rock-solid structure and World Championship pedigree.
King's Indian Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6
The ultimate fighting defense. Give White the center, then storm the kingside.
Nimzo-Indian Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
Aron Nimzowitsch's hypermodern masterpiece. Control the center with pieces, not pawns.
Englund Gambit
1.d4 e5
An unusual surprise gambit against 1.d4. Pure tactics and zero theory.
For White
Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
The fastest-developing 1.e4 opening. Aim the bishop at f7 and play for the attack.
Ruy Lopez
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The king of 1.e4 openings. Deep theory, long-term pressure, grandmaster-tested.
Scotch Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
The center-breaking alternative to the Italian. Kasparov's weapon against Karpov.
Fried Liver Attack
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5
The most famous attacking line in chess. A knight sacrifice for a devastating king hunt.
Vienna Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3
A flexible, aggressive alternative to the Italian and Ruy Lopez with the Vienna Gambit attack.
King's Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.f4
The romantic gambit. Sacrifice a pawn for the ultimate attacking chess.
Evans Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4
Kasparov's revived gambit. Sacrifice a pawn for development and a crushing center.
Ponziani Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3
The surprise weapon. Prepare d4 and catch Black off-guard.
Bishop's Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4
Aim the bishop at f7 from move 2. Bypass Nf3 and dictate the middlegame structure.
Danish Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3
Sacrifice two pawns for lightning-fast development and an open e-file attack.
London System
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4
The ultimate low-maintenance opening. One setup against everything.