Popular Chess Openings
Discover the most played and studied chess openings in history. Click on any opening to learn more about its variations, famous games, and strategic ideas.
Sicilian Defense
The Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5) is the most popular response to 1.e4, offering Black asymmetrical counterplay and fighting chances. Famous variations include the Najdorf, Dragon, and Scheveningen.
Ruy Lopez
The Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5) is one of the oldest and most analyzed openings. Named after a 16th-century Spanish priest, it remains popular at all levels from beginners to world champions.
French Defense
The French Defense (1.e4 e6) leads to strategic battles where Black accepts a space disadvantage for a solid structure and counterplay against White's center. Popular with positional players.
Italian Game
The Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) is a classic opening emphasizing rapid development and central control. The Giuoco Piano ('quiet game') and Evans Gambit are popular variations.
Caro-Kann Defense
The Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6) offers Black a solid, reliable defense with fewer theoretical demands than the Sicilian. Popular with players who prefer strategic positions over tactical complications.
Queen's Gambit
The Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4) is not a true gambit as the pawn is easily recovered. It's one of the most respected openings, leading to rich strategic positions. Popularized by the Netflix series.
King's Indian Defense
The King's Indian (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6) is a hypermodern defense where Black allows White to build a big center before counterattacking. Known for its attacking potential and complex middlegames.
English Opening
The English Opening (1.c4) is a flexible flank opening that can transpose into many different structures. Popular with positional players who want to avoid heavily theoretical 1.e4 or 1.d4 lines.
Nimzo-Indian Defense
The Nimzo-Indian (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4) is considered one of Black's most reliable defenses to 1.d4. It combines solid structure with active piece play and has been championed by world champions.
Scotch Game
The Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4) opens the position immediately, leading to active piece play. Revived by Kasparov in the 1990s, it offers White good winning chances with less theory than the Ruy Lopez.
London System
The London System (1.d4, 2.Bf4 or 2.Nf3/3.Bf4) is a solid opening system where White develops the same way regardless of Black's setup. Popular at club level for its low theoretical requirements.
Petroff Defense
The Petroff Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6) is a symmetrical, solid response to 1.e4. Known for leading to drawish positions at the highest level, it's popular among players who want reliable equality as Black.
Grunfeld Defense
The Grunfeld Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5) is a hypermodern defense where Black immediately strikes at White's center. Known for its dynamic play and tactical complexity.
Pirc Defense
The Pirc Defense (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6) is a hypermodern defense allowing White to build a center before counterattacking. Less theoretical than the Sicilian but offering real winning chances.
Dutch Defense
The Dutch Defense (1.d4 f5) is an aggressive defense where Black immediately fights for control of the e4 square. The Stonewall and Leningrad variations offer different strategic themes.
Browse by ECO Code
Openings are organized using the ECO (Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings) classification system.