Chess Openings – Guides and Information
Chess is a game with a deep history, throughout which many different chess openings have been played and mastered. On this page, you’ll find a breakdown of all commonly recognised chess openings and links to learn more about each of them in more detail.
Note: This page is a work in progress. Completed guides are at the top. Once all are complete, this page will be listed alphabetically.
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Caro-Kann DefenseA classic and solid response to e4, the Caro-Kann is perfect for players of all levels. Find out everything you need to know in our guide below: Complete Caro-Kann Defense Chess Opening Guide Win Rate (Lichess):
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London SystemWhite’s most accessible and reliable opening setup, beloved by chess players from club level to world champions for its straightforward development and consistent strategic themes. Complete London System Chess Opening Guide Win Rate (Lichess):
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Sicilian DefenseOne of the oldest and most popular openings in chess, the Sicilian Defense is a classic and played by beginners and champions worldwide. Find out everything you need to know in our guide below: Complete Sicilian Defense Chess Opening Guide Win Rate (Lichess):
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Italian GameThe Italian Game is one of chess's oldest and most respected openings, offering White a perfect blend of classical development, tactical opportunities, and strategic richness. Starting with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, White immediately targets the weak f7 square while developing pieces rapidly and maintaining excellent central control. Complete Italian Game Chess Opening Guide Win Rate (Lichess):
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Ponziani OpeningThe Ponziani Opening is one of chess's most underestimated weapons, offering White a surprising alternative to the mainstream Spanish Game after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3. This deceptively simple move supports a powerful d4 advance while creating unique strategic imbalances that often catch unprepared opponents off guard. Complete Ponziani Opening Chess Opening Guide Win Rate (Lichess):
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King's Indian DefenseThe King's Indian Defense is Black's most aggressive and dynamic response to 1.d4, offering an explosive counterattacking system that has terrorised White players for over a century. Starting with 1...Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7, Black creates a powerful fianchetto setup while preparing to launch devastating Kingside attacks with moves like ...f5, ...h5, and the classic pawn storm. Complete King's Indian Defense Chess Opening Guide Win Rate (Lichess):
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Adams Defense
Alekhine Defense
Amar Opening
Amazon Attack
Amsterdam Attack
Anderssen’s Opening
Australian Defense
Barnes Defense
Barnes Opening
Benko Gambit
Benoni Defense
Bird Opening
Bishop’s Opening
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Blumenfeld Countergambit
Bogo-Indian Defense
Bongcloud Attack
Borg Defense
Canard Opening
Carr Defense
Catalan Opening
Center Game
Clemenz Opening
Colle System
Creepy Crawly Formation
Czech Defense
Danish Gambit
Döry Defense
Dresden Opening
Duras Gambit
Dutch Defense
East Indian Defense
Elephant Gambit
English Defense
English Opening
English Orangutan
Englund Gambit
Formation: Hippopotamus Attack
Formation: Shy Attack
Four Knights Game
French Defense
Fried Fox Defense
Global Opening
Goldsmith Defense
Grob Opening
Grünfeld Defense
Guatemala Defense
Gunderam Defense
Hippopotamus Defense
Horwitz Defense
Hungarian Opening
Indian Defense
Irish Gambit
Kádas Opening
Kangaroo Defense
King’s Gambit
King’s Indian Attack
King’s Indian Defense
King’s Knight Opening
King’s Pawn Game
King’s Pawn Opening
Lasker Simul Special
Latvian Gambit
Lemming Defense
Lion Defense
Marienbad System
Mexican Defense
Mieses Opening
Mikenas Defense
Modern Defense
Montevideo Defense
Neo-Grünfeld Defense
Nimzo-Indian Defense
Nimzo-Larsen Attack
Nimzowitsch Defense
Old Indian Defense
Owen Defense
Paleface Attack
Petrov’s Defense
Philidor Defense
Pirc Defense
Polish Defense
Polish Opening
Portuguese Opening
Pseudo Queen’s Indian Defense
Pterodactyl Defense
Queen’s Gambit
Queen’s Indian Accelerated
Queen’s Indian Defense
Queen’s Pawn Game
Rapport-Jobava System
Rat Defense
Réti Opening
Richter-Veresov Attack
Robatsch Defense
Rubinstein Opening
Ruy Lopez
Saragossa Opening
Scandinavian Defense
Scotch Game
Semi-Slav Defense
Slav Defense
Slav Indian
Sodium Attack
St. George Defense
Tarrasch Defense
Three Knights Opening
Torre Attack
Trompowsky Attack
Valencia Opening
Van Geet Opening
Van’t Kruijs Opening
Vienna Gambit
Vienna Game
Vulture Defense
Wade Defense
Ware Defense
Yusupov-Rubinstein System
Zaire Defense
Zukertort Defense
Zukertort Opening
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