This will be done to some extent through experience, but relying on healthy, analytical thinking is always best. Most openings have a name, for example ‘Spanish Game’, ‘Sicilian Defence’ etc. One needs to know which moves characterize each opening in order to classify a game. Similar openings usually lead to positions with similar features. Furthermore, every opening has many possible variations, many of which do also have a name. A major classification depends on the first move. Accordingly, an opening may be Open, Semi-Open or Closed. An opening is Open if WHITE starts with 1.e4 and BLACK replies 1.e5. It is Semi-Open if WHITE starts with 1.e4 but BLACK does not reply 1.e5 and it is Closed if WHITE does not play 1.e4.

Below are some of the most common Open openings :

Spanish Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5) : WHITE threatens the black pawn at e5 with 2.Nf3 and BLACK supports it with 2.Nc6. Now WHITE plays 3.Bb5 threatening the pawn again, since he may first capture on c6, then on e5.

Italian game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) : WHITE prepares to castle whilst maximizing his pieces’ mobility. The move 3.Bc4 controls the d5 square and thus inhibits the freeing move d7-d5. It also keeps an eye on f7, a slightly weak square in the opening and one immediately relevant to the Black King’s safety.

Scotch game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4) : WHITE plans to quickly open the lines for his pieces. The usual answer is 3.exd4 and now WHITE may either take his pawn back with 4.Nxd4 or play 4.c3, a variation known as the ‘Scotch Gambit’.

Four Knights Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6) : This opening is more stable for WHITE, but also not too demanding, since 3.Nc3 poses no immediate threats.

Phillidor’s Defence (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6) : This opening leads to closed positions, but tactics are still on.

Russian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6) : An interesting opening that is not used very much nowadays.

Bishop’s Opening (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4) : This very old opening is seldom used nowadays.

King’s Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4) : WHITE opts to capture the f-pawn later (after 2.exf4); BLACK will have to settle for some defence if he wants to keep the material advantage.

Below are some of the most common Semi-Open openings :

French Defence (1.e4 e6) : BLACK is preparing to play the freeing move d7-d5.

 Caro-Cann Defence (1.e4 c6) : BLACK is preparing to play d7-d5 here too; a major difference to the French Defence is that the Bc8 will develop more easily, since the e-pawn does not restrict him.

Scandinavian Game (1.e4 d5) : BLACK tries to have active play and opens the position himself.

Alechkin’s Defence (1.e4 Nf6) : BLACK does not care about moving the same piece again, in case WHITE plays 2.e5. If WHITE advances his central pawns, BLACK will undermine his centre with side-thrusts (d7-d6, c7-c5 etc).

Sicilian Defence (1.e4 c5) : This opening is the most widely used. It offers fair possibilities for both and usually leads to wild tactics. Below are some of the most common Closed Openings :

Queen’s Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4) : If BLACK captures on c4, WHITE will manage to capture on c4 later.

English Game (1.c4 e5) : Usually leads to closed positions.

King’s Indian Defence (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d6) : An opening rich in tactics and strategy; it has earned much popularity and is used at top-class games.

Dutch Defence (1.d4 f5) : This opening leads to closed strategic positions. 18.Slav Defence (1.c4 c6) : This opening leads to symmetrical, drawish positions, with strategic considerations playing the most important role. It is best for a player to get busy with only a handful of openings and improve his knowledge and experience on them. Every opening has a key idea, which, once perceived, will be easier to implement on the board.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

All three phases of the game have special characteristics regarding the way the chess player is thinking. In the opening the major aim is to successfully develop one’s forces in order to be ready for the middlegame battle. To accomplish this, simple, yet important, guidelines have to be followed along with a common-sense analysis. These guidelines are the result of long-time experience, offered to the chess community by world class players. These general principles will be provided in a descending order of importance, along with some short explanations to make them easy to follow.

Development -  This is the most basic principle that applies in the opening. A piece is developed when it is moved from its initial position to another. As a result, its mobility is increased, as does the number of squares it now controls. It may threaten some enemy piece as well, which puts some pressure to the opponent. Before any plan can be put to work development has to be completed. Failure to complete the development will almost certainly lead to a passive position with bad prospects.

Control of the centre This is also very important, since most tactical battles take place in the centre.  A centralized piece is definitely very well placed for it controls many squares and can exert big pressure. Pawn moves usually help control the centre. This is why central pawn moves are preferred to side pawn moves. Control of the centre may also be assisted by normal piece development. For example, developing the Kg1 to f3 gives control to the central squares d4 and e5.

King safety - Castling should seldom be postponed. Castling increases the king’s safety and also helps the rook develop. There are rare cases in which one should consider to not castle at all. Short castling is normally mush safer. Failure to castle may give the opponent an opportunity to attack the king directly or indirectly; in each case defensive problems arise. 4.Plan. One should try to mentally formulate a simple plan, then also try to follow it. The plan should give a general idea of where the pieces are going to develop and what pawn moves are intended. Move order is also important and should be examined as well. Generally speaking, pawn moves are made first (to gain control of the centre), knight moves come next (because they have few possible squares to develop) and then bishop moves (because bishops can be developed on several possible squares one may be uncertain which one is best). Castling should be done early, if possible, and finally development of the heavy pieces can also be done.

Early queen moves are not recommended, for the opponent may take advantage by threatening the queen whilst developing his own pieces. Next comes an example of how one should think when playing the opening. Suppose WHITE is preparing his first move. There are eight pawns, each of which may advance one or two squares. The other pieces are currently immobilized, except for the two knights, which can move to two possible squares each. WHITE should recall the basic guidelines : development, control of the centre, king safety, a plan. He may well move a knight to start the development.

 The moves 1.Nf3 and 1.Nc3 are equally good, however, a knight on a3 or h3 is badly placed, for it is away from the centre. Usually pawn moves are made first, so 1.e4, controlling d5 and f5 is a very good choice. Equally good is 1.d4 and 1.c4. The move 1.f4 is acceptable, but it weakens the king somewhat. Moving the a, b, g or h pawns is not suggested, since they do not fight for the centre. Similarly, 1.e3 and 1.d3 are acceptable moves, but they are considered inferior for the same reason.

Suppose WHITE eventually decides to play 1.e4 and now BLACK replies with 1…e5, also fighting for the centre. Now WHITE has more choices, since his queen and his bishop at f1 can also move. WHITE should avoid playing the queen too early, as mentioned. He should rather try to develop his lightweight pieces. His selection list should now include at least the following moves, which are consistent to the basic principles : 2.d4, 2.Nf3, 2.Nc3, 2.Bc4. There are good moves too, but these are probably the best. WHITE should dislike for example 2.Bd3, because this move, though actually developing a piece, has two drawbacks : it does not increase the bishop’s mobility and it prevents the d pawn from advancing. The d pawn will need to advance sooner or later, or WHITE will have little freedom in his moves; so the move 2.Bd3 may be a lost tempo, if WHITE later needs to move the bishop again. This mini example demonstrates how one should use his own judgment along with the general opening principles. Note that the general principles by no means are of universal validity.

Related posts:

1. Openings Theory Openings Theory is based on top class games to provide...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.