Chess - Fortress Productions

Chess

Chess - argubly the most perplexing game in existance. Here you can learn how to play the game, and master it. Common chess openings are discussed below. If you wish to jump to other topics, use the quick-access links on the right.

Also sure to check out the chess downloads section to get free chess software for Windows PCs.

This section deals with chess openings. These openings have been proven over time to work. It is suggested that you do more than just memorize these; it is imperitive that you comprehend the ideas behind them so that when your opponent deviates from these openings, you'll know how to win. Often times players try to pick an inferior opening so that he can confuse his opponent, which is the reason why you must learn to recognize them. Plase note that these openings are only a few common ones. There are many more. For a complete list of all the standardized openings, click here.

For easy reference, you can use these links to jump to a specific topic on this page:

Ruy Lopez

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5.
From here, there are many other variations which have been debated for many years.

Italian Game-Symmetrical

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. d3 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Be3 Bb6 7. Qe2 Be6 8. Bb3 Qe7 9. 0-0-0 0-0-0
With correct play, this is usually a draw.

Giuoco Piano

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4
White tries to take the center and Black often tries to defend by restraining White’s center pawns with its own center pawns and with its knights.

French Defense

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
Though Black loses space (this will be discussed later), he gains stronger support in the center and one of the plans is to destroy White’s center.

Sicilian Defense-Scheveningen Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e6 6. Be2
This is one of the most popular openings for grandmasters and is very complicated. It leads into a game with plenty of chances on both sides.

King’s Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. f4
If you don’t mind losing a pawn for a good attacking position, then this is the opening to play. However, grandmasters now avoid this opening partially because Black is able to fight back with a gambit (sacrifice of material for good position) of its own with 2. ... d5

Alekhine’s Defense

1. e4 Nf6
This is not popular among grandmasters, yet it deserves attention because though Black has not opened with a center pawn, he has developed a piece and directly attacked this pawn--a very interesting idea.

Queen’s Gambit Accepted

1. d4 d5 2. c4 dxc4 Though it looks like a gambit, White could get back the material right away with 3. Qa4+ and 4. Qxc4.
However, this is usually not the idea in the queen’s gambit as White would like to develop faster than Black.

Queen’s Gambit Declined

1. d4 d5 2. c4 d6 or c6
Chess masters usually agree that the Queen’s Gambit Declined is much safer for Black because having the second move, Black usually can’t afford to lose any more time for developing pieces.

Nimzo-Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb5
This is a popular queen-pawn opening invented by Aron Nimzowitch and the opening bears his name.

Queen’s Indian Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6
The Queen’s Indian Defense gives Black some good play and some good chances for attack.

English Opening

1. c4
There are a wide range of variations from here. This is a type of Sicilian backwards with 1. ...e5, but to avoid some complications, 1. ... Nf6 is often played.

Bird System

1. f4 Here, Black can play 1. ... d5 or fight with a gambit, 1. ... e5.
There is a trick associated with the From’s Gambit as this is called. 1. f4 e5 2. fxe5 d6 3. exd6 Bxd6 4. Nc3 Qh4+ 5. g3 Qxg3! (or Bxg3) 6. hxg3 Bxg3 checkmate.

Damiano’s Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 3. Nxe5
This is a very bad opening for Black which beginners sometimes play. By sacrificing a knight, White can receive many benefits with 3. ... fxe5 Qh5+. Black’s best option is not to take the knight.