Best Aggressive Chess Openings
Sharp gambits and fighting defenses for players who want the initiative from move one. Sacrifice pawns for development with the King's and Evans Gambits, play for kingside attacks with the King's Indian, or unbalance the game with the Sicilian. Every line is drillable with spaced repetition.
Sicilian Defense
1.e4 c5
The fighting answer to 1.e4 that gives Black real winning chances from move one.
Scandinavian Defense
1.e4 d5
The fastest way to challenge e4. Direct, tactical, and easy to learn.
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.
Danish Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3
Sacrifice two pawns for lightning-fast development and an open e-file attack.
King's Indian Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6
The ultimate fighting defense. Give White the center, then storm the kingside.
Englund Gambit
1.d4 e5
An unusual surprise gambit against 1.d4. Pure tactics and zero theory.