ChessAnalyzerChess openings, explained move by move
Each guide walks through the main line of one opening, explaining why every move is played — not just what the moves are. Every line was checked move by move against the rules and a database of more than 3,000 named opening positions.
Openings for White
Italian Game
Fast development and a bishop aimed at f7, the weakest square in Black's camp. The classic first opening to learn with White.
C54Beginner
Two Knights: the Fried Liver trap
A sharp attacking line. If Black recaptures on d5 with the knight, White can sacrifice on f7 and hunt the king into the open.
C57Beginner
London System
A system you can play against almost anything: the same setup, easy plans, no theory to memorise.
D02Beginner
Scotch Game
White opens the centre on move three with d4. Clear plans, open lines and fast development.
C45Beginner
Sicilian: Alapin
An anti-Sicilian with c3: White prepares d4 to get a full pawn centre and avoids the sharpest Sicilian theory.
B22Beginner
Ruy Lopez
The Spanish Game: slow, deep pressure on Black's centre. A lifetime opening played at every level.
C92Intermediate
Queen's Gambit Declined
White offers the c-pawn to deflect Black from the centre. Black declines and keeps a rock-solid position.
D58Intermediate
Vienna Gambit
An aggressive e4 system: Nc3 first, then f4 to open the f-file and attack before Black is organised.
C29Intermediate
English Opening
1.c4: a flexible flank opening. White fights for d5 from the side and often plays a reversed Sicilian.
A29Intermediate
King's Gambit
The romantic opening: White gives the f-pawn for rapid development and an attack on f7.
C39Advanced
Catalan Opening
Queen's Gambit meets a kingside fianchetto. White's g2 bishop pressures the queenside for the whole game.
E05Advanced
Defences for Black
Caro-Kann Defence
Solid and sound. Black gets the c8 bishop out before playing ...e6, avoiding the French's main problem.
B19Beginner
Scandinavian Defence
Black challenges e4 from move one. Easy to learn, with a clear, solid setup.
B01Beginner
Petrov Defence
Black counter-attacks e4 on move two. Very solid, with one important trap to know.
C42Beginner
French Defence
A solid defence: Black accepts less space in return for a strong chain and counter-play against White's centre.
C11Intermediate
Queen's Gambit Accepted
Black takes the c4 pawn, then gives it back to get free, easy development and a solid position.
D27Intermediate
Slav Defence
A rock-solid answer to the Queen's Gambit: ...c6 supports d5 and keeps the c8 bishop free.
D19Intermediate
Pirc Defence
A hypermodern defence: Black lets White build a centre, then attacks it with pieces and pawn breaks.
B08Intermediate
Sicilian Najdorf
Black's fighting answer to 1.e4. Unbalanced positions where Black plays for a win.
B90Advanced
King's Indian Defence
Let White build a centre, then attack it and the white king. A favourite of attacking players.
E97Advanced
Nimzo-Indian Defence
Black pins the c3 knight to control e4 with pieces instead of pawns. One of the soundest defences to 1.d4.
E54Advanced
Sicilian Dragon
Black fianchettoes on g7 for a long diagonal of power. Sharp, with opposite-side castling races.
B78Advanced
Grünfeld Defence
Black gives White a big centre on purpose, then attacks it with the g7 bishop and ...c5.
D86Advanced
Dutch Defence: Leningrad
Black answers 1.d4 with ...f5 to control e4, then fianchettoes like in the King's Indian.
A89Advanced
How to learn an opening
Memorising moves is the least important part. Learn the ideas first — which squares matter, where your pieces belong, which pawn breaks you are aiming for — then play the line until it feels natural. The interactive version of every course in the analyzer asks you to find your side's moves yourself and highlights the right piece when you are stuck.