Chess Opening Guides
Plain-English guides to popular chess openings — key plans, main lines, common traps and how each opening performs by rating. Pick one to study, then train the first chapter free.
London SystemA solid, low-theory opening for White: the d4 + Bf4 setup with clear plans from club level to grandmaster play.For White · ECO D02 · A45
French DefenseA solid, strategically rich answer to 1.e4 for Black: stake the centre with …d5 and outplay White in the middlegame.For Black · ECO C00–C19
English OpeningA flexible, strategically deep way for White to open with 1.c4 — control the centre from the flank and outplay your opponent in rich middlegames.For White · ECO A10–A39
Benko GambitA respected pawn sacrifice for Black: give up the b-pawn for long-lasting, easy-to-play pressure on the queenside.For Black · ECO A57–A59
Sicilian NajdorfThe most ambitious answer to 1.e4: Black plays for the full point in the sharpest, most deeply studied mainline Sicilian.For Black · ECO B90–B99
Grünfeld DefenseHypermodern chess at its purest: let White build a big pawn centre, then tear it down with pieces.For Black · ECO D80–D99
Modern BenoniA sharp, unbalancing answer to 1.d4 where Black plays for the win from the very start.For Black · ECO A60–A79
Queen's Gambit AcceptedA sound, classical way for Black to meet 1.d4 — give back the gambit pawn for an open, easy-to-develop position.For Black · ECO D20–D29
Englund GambitA tricky pawn sacrifice against 1.d4 — and how White accepts it, dodges the …Qb4+ traps and keeps a clean extra pawn.Beat it · For White · ECO A40
Budapest GambitBlack’s enterprising …e5 gambit against 1.d4 — and how White meets it with 4.Bf4, keeps the bishop pair and sidesteps the traps.Beat it · For White · ECO A51–A52
Nimzo-Indian DefenseBlack’s soundest answer to 1.d4 — and the four reliable systems White can use to meet it, led by the structurally clean 4.Qc2.Meet it · For White · ECO E20–E59
Anti-BenoniBlack’s sharpest counter to 1.d4 — and the four White systems against the Modern Benoni, with a complete plan for the Benko Gambit and the Czech.Meet it · For White · ECO A56–A79
Scotch GameWhite strikes the centre with 3.d4 — easy development, open lines and a lasting pull, with far less theory than the Ruy Lopez.For White · ECO C45
Albin Counter-GambitAn aggressive gambit for Black against the Queen’s Gambit: sacrifice a pawn for a cramping d4 wedge and fast, tactical piece play.For Black · ECO D08–D09
Anti-LondonBlack’s repertoire against the London System: active piece play and the …c5/…Qb6 plan to take the comfort out of White’s quiet 2.Bf4 setup.Beat it · For Black · ECO D02 · A45
Czech BenoniThe most solid Benoni: lock the centre with …e5 and play a closed, manoeuvring game built around the thematic …f5 break.For Black · ECO A56