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, listed alphabetically.

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Caro-Kann Defense

A 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):

  • 48% Black
  • 47% White
  • 5% Draw

London System

White’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):

  • 44% Black
  • 51% White
  • 5% Draw

Sicilian Defense

One 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):

  • 48% Black
  • 48% White
  • 4% Draw

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

Italian Game

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

Ponziani 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