Chess Openings

HOME
CHESS RULES
open in browser PRO version
CHESS OPENINGS
CHESS ENDINGS
Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API
DOWNLOADS
VIDEOS
pdfcrowd.com
As you know openings plays an important role in your chess play. if you failed to start with a good opening you may loss
the game. So here are some chess openings for you with its variations.
THE SICILIAN
It starts:
1. e2-e4 c7-c5
What should White do next?

The usual plan is for White to play Ng1-f3 on move 2 and d2-d4 on move 3. He will then attack on the King side using both pawns and pieces. Meanwhile Black has a choice of Pawn
formations: d6 and g6 (the DRAGON formation, d6 and e6 (the SCHEVENINGEN formation, d6 and e5 (the BOLESLAVSKY formation).
Ideas for White:

1. Don't play Bf1-b5 in the Open Sicilian - it only leads to exchanges.
pdfcrowd.com
2. Don't play Nd4xc6 unless your next move is going to be e4-e5.

3. Attack with your pawns: it's often worth sacrificing a pawn to open lineson the King side.
4. If Black plays e7-e5 before a7-a6 it's the best reply is usually Nd4-b5, aiming for d6.
5. In the Dragon Variation, if you play Bc1-e3 you must either play f2-f3 or Bf1-e2 to avoid Nf6-g4, trying to exchange off your strongest minor piece.
6. You can only play the Open Sicilian against strong (150+) opponents if you're prepared to do a lot of work. You may be better off learning one of the Anti-Sicilian lines at the end of the
lesson.
Ideas for Black:

1. The main idea of the Sicilian Defence is a Queen-side attack. You should be playing moves like Qd8-c7, Ra8-c8,l a7-a6, b7-b5.
2. Leave your e-pawn on e7 in the Dragon Variation. If you move it you weaken d6 and on e5 it blocks in your Bishop on g7.
3. Don't play e7-e5 if White has already played either Bf1-c4 or Bc1-g5. Both these moves help him control d5.
4. Don't play a7-a6 in the Dragon - it's usually too slow.
5. If your opponent throws his K-side pawns forward try to play either d5 or e5.
6. Make sure you know how to play against the Anti-Sicilian lines at the end of the lesson.
THE DRAGON VARIATION

1.
e2-e4 c7-c5
2.
Ng1-f3 d7-d6
3.
d2-d4 c5xd4
4.
Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6
4... g7-g6 is possible but 5. c2-c4 is a strong reply for White.
5. Nb1-c3 g7-g6
pdfcrowd.com
Black prepares to develop his Bishop on g7.

White's main lines are now 6. Bc1-e3 Bf8-g7 7. f2-f3, the Yugoslav Attack and 6. Bf1-e2 Bf8-g7 7. Bc1-e3, the Classical Variation).
THE NAJDORF VARIATION

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
e2-e4 c7-c5
Ng1-f3 d7-d6
d2-d4 c5xd4
Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6
Nb1-c3 a7-a6
This is partly a waiting move: Black waits to see where White is putting his Bishops before deciding whether to play e7-e6 or e7e5, and partly the start of a Queen-side attack.
White now has many good moves, Bc1-g5, Bc1-e3, Bf1-c4, Bf2-e2, f2-f4. If he plays either Bg5 or Bc4 Black should NOT play e7-e5.
THE CLASSICAL VARIATION

1.
e2-e4 c7-c5
2.
Ng1-f3 d7-d6
3.
d2-d4 c5xd4
4.
Nf3xd4 Ng8-f6
5.
Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6
5... e7-e6 is also possible, heading straight for the Scheveningen formation.
White has a similar choice of moves. Note that Black can equally well play Nb8-c6 or e7-e6 on move 2 if he wants to play the
Scheveningen system. Each move order gives White different options.
THE ANTI-SICILIANS THE MORRA GAMBIT
1.
2.
e2-e4 c7-c5
d2-d4 c5xd4
pdfcrowd.com
3.
4.
c2-c3 d4xc3
Nb1xc3
If you like gambit play this could be for you. White sacrifices a pawn to gain a lead in development.
THE CLOSED SICILIAN
1.
2.
3.
e2-e4 c7-c5
Nb1-c3 Nb8-c6
g2-g3
White will continue with Bf1-g2, d2-d3 and f2-f4. If you like building up a King side attack from a closed position this is a good choice. 2. f2-f4 can lead to similar
positions.
THE ALAPIN VARIATION
1.
2.
e2-e4 c7-c5
c2-c3
White aims to build up a strong centre with d2-d4. Black can reply 2... Ng8-f6 3. e4-e5 Nf6-d5 4. d2-d4, or 2... d7-d5 3. e4xd5 Qd8xd5 4. d2-d4, or 2... e7-e6 3.
d2-d4 d7-d5 when 4. e4-e5 is a French. If you like open piece play this variation is a good choice.
THE Bb5 VARIATION
1.
2.
3.
e2-e4 c7-c5
Ng1-f3 d7-d6
Bf1-b5+
2... Nb8-c6 3. Bf1-b5 is also good. White will usually play 0-0, Rf1-e1, c2-c3 and d2-d4, like a Ruy Lopez. If you like the Ruy Lopez why not try this line?
pdfcrowd.com
THE FRENCH DEFENSE

It starts:
1.
2.
e2-e4 e7-e6
d2-d4 d7-d5
White's e-pawn is attacked. What should he do?

He could exchange it (exd5, the EXCHANGE VARIATION), popular with wimps who want to play safe.
He could advance it (e4-e5, the ADVANCE VARIATION), very popular in junior chess but Black usually does well against it.
He could defend it (Nb1-c3, the main line, or Nb1-d2, the TARRASCH VARIATION), the master choice.
What's the big idea?

The FRENCH DEFENCE is a battle for control of the central dark squares: d4 and e5.
If White keeps control of these squares he will stand better.
If Black can take over control of these squares he will be able to advance his centre pawns and win the game.
When White plays e5 he creates a PAWN CHAIN.
The key moves for Black are the PAWN BREAKS c7-c5 and f7-f6.
If you're Black play c7-c5 as soon as you can. Play f7-f6 as soon as you can AFTER YOU'VE CASTLED.
Ideas for White:

1. Try to get your light-squared Bishop onto the b1-h7 diagonal. Don't exchange it for Black's light squared Bishop if you can help it.
2. If Black develops slowly try to play f2-f4 and f4-f5.
3. If Black moves out his dark-squared Bishop consider playing Qd1-g4.
pdfcrowd.com
4. Don't attack Black's centre with c2-c4 (or c3-c4) while he still has a light-squared bishop on the board.
5. If you've exchanged off your pawn on e5 try to occupy e5 with a piece.
6. If you've exchanged off your pawn on d4 try to occupy d4 with a piece.
Ideas for Black:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Play c7-c5 as soon as you can, but watch out for Nc3-b5 followed by Nb5-d6.
Play f7-f6 as soon as your King is safe BUT NOT BEFORE: White may have tactics based on Bd3 and Qh5.
Think twice before playing either c5xd4 or c5-c4. Both these moves are sometimes good but do take the pressure off White's centre.
Consider exchanging off your light-squared Bishop by playing b6 and Ba6.
Aim for exchanges to free your cramped position.
If the centre remains blocked start a pawn advance on the opposite side of the board to where your King is living.
THE ADVANCE VARIATION

1.
e2-e4 e7-e6
2.
d2-d4 d7-d5
3.
e4-e5 c7-c5
Black attacks White's centre.
4. c2-c3 Nb8-c6
White defends his centre and Black attacks it again.
5. Ng1-f3 Qd8-b6
Attacking the b-pawn so White cannot develop his Bishop on c1.
Now White can choose Bf1-e2 (simple development), Bf1-d3 (a pawn sacrifice which Black cannot take next move - why?) or a2-a3 with the idea of b2-b4, taking
the pressure off the centre.
THE CLASSICAL VARIATION

1.
2.
e2-e4 e7-e6
d2-d4 d7-d5
pdfcrowd.com
3.
Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6
Black attacks e4 again

4. Bc1-g5 Bf8-e7
White defends by pinning the Knight so Black unpins.
5.
e4-e5 Nf6-d7
6.
Bf8xe7 Qd8xe7
White exchanges off his Bad Bishop for Black's Good Bishop
White's best move now is f2-f4, when Black cannot play c7-c5 because of Nc3-b5 so can choose either a7-a6 or 0-0, followed by c7-c5 next move.
THE STEINITZ VARIATION

1.
2.
3.
4.
e2-e4 e7-e6
d2-d4 d7-d5
Nb1-c3 Ng8-f6
e4-e5 Nf6-d7
In this variation White will develop his Queen's Bishop on e3 to fight for control of d4.
5. f2-f4 c7-c5
Two important moves. White takes firm control of e5 and Black attacks d4.
6. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6
Black keeps on attacking d4 so White should now defend it again with Bc1-e3.
THE WINAWER VARIATION

1.
e2-e4 e7-e6
2.
d2-d4 d7-d5
3.
Nb1-c3 Bf8-b4
Black pins the Knight on c3 and threatens to take the pawn on e4.
pdfcrowd.com
4. e4-e5 c7-c5
White meets the threat by advancing his e-pawn and Black switches his attack to d4.
5.
a2-a3 Bb4xc3
6.
b2xc3 Ng8-e7
Not so good is Nb8-c6 because Qd1-g4 is a strong reply.
Now White can choose simple development with Ng1-f3 or attack g7 with the aggressive Qd1-g4.
THE TARRASCH VARIATION

1.
2.
3.
e2-e4 e7-e6
d2-d4 d7-d5
Nb1-d2 Ng8-f6
White has two good reasons for playing Nb1-d2. It stops Black pinnning his Knight with Bf8-b4 and allows him to support his
pawn centre with c2-c3.
4.
e4-e5 Nf6-d7
5.
c2-c3 c7-c5
White has two plans here: to defend his centre with f4, or to exchange pawns when Black plays f6. In both cases he usually develops his Queen's Knight on f3 and
his King's Knight on e2.
FOR MORE OPENING CLICK ON THIS BUTTON
CLICK
pdfcrowd.com
CREATE A FREE WEBSITE
POWERED BY
pdfcrowd.com

Chess Openings

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chess Openings

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chess Openings

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

HOME

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

What should White do next?

Ideas for White:

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

2. Don't play Nd4xc6 unless your next move is going to be e4-e5.

Ideas for Black:

THE DRAGON VARIATION

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

Black prepares to develop his Bishop on g7.

THE NAJDORF VARIATION

THE CLASSICAL VARIATION

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

THE FRENCH DEFENSE

White's e-pawn is attacked. What should he do?

What's the big idea?

Ideas for White:

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

THE ADVANCE VARIATION

THE CLASSICAL VARIATION

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

Black attacks e4 again

THE STEINITZ VARIATION

THE WINAWER VARIATION

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

THE TARRASCH VARIATION

FOR MORE OPENING CLICK ON THIS BUTTON

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

CREATE A FREE WEBSITE

open in browser PRO version

Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

You might also like