Opening Guides for Sub-1000 Players
Engine-verified refutations for the openings that trip up beginners most
Alapin Sicilian
B22
The Alapin Sicilian (ECO B22) arises after 1.
Alekhine Defense
B02
The Alekhine Defense (ECO B02) starts with 1.
Anti King S Indian
A48
Against the Anti-King's Indian (ECO A48), Black should play d5 early to equalize and neutralize the Bg5 pin, entering the Torre Attack setup (Anti-King's Indian).
Benko Gambit
A57
The Benko Gambit (ECO A57) starts when Black plays 3.
Benoni Defense
A60
Against the Benoni Defense (ECO A60), White should build a massive center with e4 and f4, entering the Modern Benoni structure.
Bird Opening
A02
Against the Bird Opening (ECO A02), Black can counter sharply with From's Gambit (1.
Bishop Opening
C23
Against the Bishop Opening (ECO C23), Black should counterattack with 2.
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
D00
The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (ECO D00) starts with 1.
Budapest Gambit Declined
A51
The Budapest Gambit Declined (ECO A51), also known as the Adler Variation, arises after 1.
Budapest Gambit
A52
The Budapest Gambit (ECO A52) is a surprise weapon where Black plays 2.
Caro-Kann Advance Variation
B12
The Caro-Kann Advance Variation (ECO B12) begins when White pushes the center pawn forward on move 3, grabbing space across the board.
Caro-Kann Classical Variation
B18
The Caro-Kann Classical Variation (ECO B18) is one of the most solid openings in chess, but at sub-1000 ELO, Black makes key mistakes that hand White the advantage.
Caro-Kann Defense
B10
The Caro-Kann Defense (ECO B10) is solid, but White can still ask hard questions by taking space and gaining time on the bishop in the Classical Variation structure.
Caro-Kann Exchange Variation
B13
The Caro-Kann Exchange Variation (ECO B13) happens when White trades pawns in the center on move 3.
Catalan Closed
E06
The Catalan Closed (ECO E06) is a positional system where White fianchettoes the bishop to g2 and builds long-term pressure on the queenside.
Catalan Open
E04
The Catalan Open (ECO E04), also called the Open Catalan, arises after 1.
Catalan Opening
E00
The Catalan Opening (ECO E00) is a positional system where White fianchettoes the light-squared bishop to g2 and presses on the long diagonal.
Center Game
C22
The Center Game (ECO C22) is punished by 3.
Colle System
D04
Against the Colle System (ECO D04), Black must challenge the center with .
Danish Gambit
C21
The Danish Gambit (ECO C21, Danish Gambit Accepted) is nearly equal at +0.
Dutch Defense
A80
The Dutch Defense (ECO A80) starts when Black plays 1.
Dutch Leningrad
A89
The Dutch Leningrad (ECO A89) features a double fianchetto structure where Black plays f5 and g6 with the bishop on g7.
Dutch Stonewall
A84
The Dutch Stonewall (ECO A84) creates a rigid pawn chain with pawns on d5, e6, and f5, giving Black a fortress-like structure.
Elephant Gambit
C40
The Elephant Gambit (ECO C40) is refuted by 3.
English Four Knights
A28
The English Four Knights (ECO A28), also called the English Four Knights Variation, arises after 1.
English Opening
A10
The English Opening (ECO A10) starts with 1.
English Reversed Sicilian
A20
Against the English Reversed Sicilian (ECO A20), Black should play d5 early to challenge the center and avoid a passive position, entering the English Opening, Reversed Sicilian lines.
English Symmetrical
A30
Against the English Symmetrical (ECO A30), Black should develop flexibly and prepare the d5 pawn break to seize the initiative, entering the English Symmetrical (Hedgehog Setup).
Evans Gambit
C51
The Evans Gambit (ECO C51) sacrifices the b4 pawn to rip open the center and develop with tempo after 1.
Four Knights Game
C47
The Four Knights Game (ECO C47) develops all four knights early with 1.
French Advance
C02
The French Advance (ECO C02) arises after 3.
French Defense
C00
The French Defense (ECO C00) is easiest to handle when White grabs space and keeps Black's bad bishop trapped behind the e6 pawn.
French Tarrasch
C03
The French Tarrasch (ECO C03) features 3.
French Winawer
C15
The French Winawer (ECO C15) is a sharp line where Black pins the c3 knight with Bb4, creating immediate tension in the center.
Fried Liver Attack
C57
The Fried Liver Attack (ECO C57) is a violent knight sacrifice on f7 that catches beginners off guard after 1.
Giuoco Pianissimo
C50
The Giuoco Pianissimo (ECO C50), also known as the 'Very Quiet Game,' is a slow Italian Game setup where White plays d3 instead of the more aggressive d4.
Giuoco Piano
C53
The Giuoco Piano (ECO C53) means 'quiet game' in Italian, starting with 1.
Grand Prix Attack
B23
The Grand Prix Attack (ECO B23) starts with 2.
Grob Attack
A00
The Grob Attack (ECO A00) starts with the unusual 1.
Grunfeld Defense
D80
The Grunfeld Defense (ECO D80) is a counterattacking opening where Black gives up the center early and fights back with piece pressure.
Halloween Gambit
C46
Against the Halloween Gambit (ECO C46, also called the Muller-Schulze Gambit), Black should simply capture the knight with 4.
Hedgehog System
B41
Against the Hedgehog System (ECO B41, Kan Variation / Paulsen Setup), White should develop quickly with Nc3 and Be2, then seize space with f4.
Hungarian Defense
C50
The Hungarian Defense (ECO C50) is punished by 4.
Italian Game
C50
Against the Italian Game (ECO C50), Black should answer the Giuoco Piano with .
King S Indian Averbakh
E73
The King's Indian Averbakh (ECO E73, Averbakh Variation) gives White a slight edge of +0.
King S Indian Fianchetto
E62
The King's Indian Fianchetto (ECO E62, Fianchetto Variation, also known as the Panno System) gives White a small edge of +0.
King S Indian Four Pawns Attack
E76
The King's Indian Four Pawns Attack (ECO E76, Four Pawns Attack) gives White a slight edge of +0.
King S Indian Samisch
E81
The King's Indian Samisch (ECO E81, Samisch Variation) gives White a stable edge of +0.
Kings Fianchetto Opening
A00
The Kings Fianchetto Opening (ECO A00), also known as Benko's Opening, starts with 1.
Kings Gambit Accepted
C33
The Kings Gambit Accepted (ECO C33) is a sharp opening where White sacrifices the f-pawn for rapid development.
King's Gambit
C30
The King's Gambit (ECO C30) starts with 1.
Kings Indian Attack
A07
Against the King's Indian Attack (ECO A07), Black should build a solid center with d5 and c6, entering the King's Indian Attack main line.
Kings Indian Classical
E91
The Kings Indian Classical (ECO E91) is a hypermodern opening where Black allows White to build a large center before striking back.
King's Indian Defense
E60
The King's Indian Defense (ECO E60) gives White a big center, and the simplest answer is to take space before Black gets a king-side attack.
Latvian Gambit
C40
The Latvian Gambit (ECO C40) is refuted by 3.
London System
D02
Against the London System (ECO D02), Black should challenge the center early with the Classical London System plan of .
Modern Defense
B06
The Modern Defense (ECO B06) starts with 1.
Nimzo Indian Classical
E32
The Nimzo Indian Classical (ECO E32) is one of Black's most respected defenses to 1.
Nimzo-Indian Defense
E20
The Nimzo-Indian Defense (ECO E20) happens when Black plays Bb4 to pin White's knight on c3, doubling White's pawns if the bishop takes.
Nimzo Indian Samisch
E26
The Nimzo Indian Samisch (ECO E26) arises when White plays 4.
Nimzo Larsen Attack
A01
Against the Nimzo-Larsen Attack (ECO A01), Black should occupy the center with e5 and d5 while developing pieces actively, entering the Nimzo-Larsen Attack (Classical Variation).
Nimzowitsch Defense
B00
The Nimzowitsch Defense (ECO B00) begins with 1.
Owen Defense
B00
The Owen Defense (ECO B00), also known as the Queen's Fianchetto Defense, arises after 1.
Petroff Defense
C42
The Petroff Defense (ECO C42) is a solid counterattacking opening where Black mirrors White's knight play.
Philidor Defense
C41
Against the Philidor Defense (ECO C41), White should build the d4-e4 center and develop quickly.
Pirc Defense
B07
The Pirc Defense (ECO B07) starts with 1.
Polish Opening
A00
The Polish Opening (ECO A00), also known as the Orangutan Opening, starts with 1.
Ponziani Opening
C44
The Ponziani Opening (ECO C44) begins with 3.
Queens Gambit Accepted
D20
The Queens Gambit Accepted (ECO D20) tempts Black into grabbing a pawn that cannot be held.
Queens Gambit Chigorin
D07
The Queens Gambit Chigorin (ECO D07), known as the Chigorin Defense, arises after 1.
Queens Gambit Declined
D30
The Queens Gambit Declined (ECO D30) leads to solid but demanding positions for Black.
Queen's Gambit
D06
Against the Queen's Gambit (ECO D06), Black should keep things simple with the Queen's Gambit Declined setup of .
Queens Indian Defense
E12
The Queens Indian Defense (ECO E12) is a hypermodern opening where Black fianchettoes the queen's bishop to control the long diagonal.
Reti Kings Indian Attack
A05
The Reti Kings Indian Attack (ECO A05) is a slow, flexible opening where White fianchettoes the kingside bishop and delays committing to a central pawn structure.
Reti Opening
A04
Against the Reti Opening (ECO A04), Black should maintain the d5 pawn and develop solidly with .
Ruy Lopez Berlin Defense
C65
The Ruy Lopez Berlin Defense (ECO C65) leads to simplified positions that require precise endgame technique.
Ruy Lopez Closed
C84
The Ruy Lopez Closed (ECO C84) is one of the most classical openings in chess, where White maintains long-term pressure with the bishop on a4.
Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation
C68
In the Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation (ECO C68), White trades the bishop for the knight on c6, giving Black doubled c-pawns that become a long-term weakness.
Ruy Lopez Marshall Attack
C89
The Ruy Lopez Marshall Attack (ECO C89) features a bold pawn sacrifice with 8.
Ruy Lopez
C60
Against the Ruy Lopez (ECO C60), Black should use the Morphy Defense setup with .
Scandinavian Defense
B01
The Scandinavian Defense (ECO B01) starts when Black plays 1.
Scandinavian Defense Main Line
B01
The Scandinavian Main Line (ECO B01) is the most common version of the Scandinavian Defense, where Black recaptures on d5 with the queen on move 2.
Scandinavian Portuguese Gambit
B01
The Scandinavian Portuguese Gambit (ECO B01) is a tricky line where Black sacrifices a pawn for fast piece development by sending the bishop to g4 on move 3 instead of trying to win the pawn back.
Scholar's Mate
A00
Scholar's Mate (ECO A00) is a 4-move checkmate where White attacks f7 with the queen and bishop.
Scotch Game
C44
The Scotch Game (ECO C44) begins with 1.
Semi Slav Defense
D43
Against the Semi Slav Defense (ECO D43), White should answer the c6-d5-e6 triangle with 5.
Sicilian Accelerated Dragon
B35
The Sicilian Accelerated Dragon (ECO B35) skips the usual d6 move and fianchettoes the bishop immediately with g6 and Bg7.
Sicilian Classical
B56
The Sicilian Classical (ECO B56) reaches a critical moment after 5.
Sicilian Defense
B20
The Sicilian Defense (ECO B20) is strongest when White treats it like an Open Sicilian and fights for fast development instead of random flank moves.
Sicilian Dragon Yugoslav Attack
B76
Against the Sicilian Dragon (ECO B76), the Yugoslav Attack is White's most dangerous weapon.
Sicilian Dragon
B70
The Sicilian Dragon (ECO B70) starts when Black plays g6 and puts the bishop on g7, creating a powerful diagonal aimed at White's queenside.
Sicilian Kan
B43
The Sicilian Kan (ECO B43) is a flexible system where Black plays 4.
Sicilian Najdorf
B90
The Sicilian Najdorf (ECO B90) is one of the sharpest openings in chess.
Sicilian Paulsen
B44
The Sicilian Paulsen (ECO B44) features the natural developing move 4.
Sicilian Rossolimo
B30
The Sicilian Rossolimo (ECO B30) is a positional weapon where White pins Black's c6 knight with Bb5 instead of entering the main Sicilian lines.
Sicilian Scheveningen
B80
The Sicilian Scheveningen (ECO B80) features a flexible pawn structure with pawns on e6 and d6.
Sicilian Sveshnikov
B33
The Sicilian Sveshnikov (ECO B33) is defined by Black's bold 5.
Slav Defense
D10
The Slav Defense (ECO D10) is a solid opening where Black supports d5 with .
Smith Morra Gambit
B21
The Smith Morra Gambit (ECO B21) is a sharp pawn sacrifice where White plays 2.
Sokolsky Opening
A00
The Sokolsky Opening (ECO A00), also called the Orangutan Opening, begins with the flank move 1.
St George Defense
B00
The St George Defense (ECO B00), also known as the Birmingham Defense, begins with 1.
Stafford Gambit
C40
The Stafford Gambit (ECO C40) is a trap opening where Black gives up a knight and hopes you panic.
Stonewall Attack
D05
Against the Stonewall Attack (ECO D05), Black should strike at the center with .
Stonewall Dutch
A90
The Stonewall Dutch (ECO A90) features a rigid pawn wall on f5, e6, and d5 that creates a permanent weakness on e5 and the dark squares.
Three Knights Game
C46
The Three Knights Game (ECO C46) is best met with 4.
Torre Attack
A46
Against the Torre Attack (ECO A46), Black should challenge the center with .
Trompowsky Attack
A45
Against the Trompowsky Attack (ECO A45), Black should not panic after 2.
Two Knights Defense
C55
The Two Knights Defense (ECO C55) starts when Black plays 3.
Van T Kruijs Opening
A00
The Van 't Kruijs Opening (ECO A00) starts with the passive 1.
Vienna Gambit
C28
The Vienna Gambit (ECO C28) starts with 1.