Chess openings, one plan each
Six openings for White and six for Black, each with the plan in plain words, the moves, and a branch for when your opponent goes another way. Drill any of them free.
You play White
- Italian Game (C54): Bishop aims at f7, c3 and d3 build a quiet centre, castle early. Later you push d4 when it is ready. If they play 3...Nf6.
- Ruy Lopez (C90): Pressure the knight that guards e5. The bishop drops back to b3 and c3 prepares d4. If they play 3...Nf6.
- Scotch Game (C45): Open the centre at once with d4. Your knight sits on d4 and the bishop and c3 keep it safe. If they play 4...Nf6.
- Queen's Gambit Declined (D60): c4 attacks the d5 pawn. Pin the f6 knight with Bg5 and develop calmly behind your centre. If they play 2...dxc4.
- Queen's Pawn Game (D02): The same set-up against almost anything: d4, Bf4, e3, c3, knights to d2 and f3. Easy to learn, hard to beat. If they play 1...Nf6.
- English Opening (A29): A Sicilian with an extra move. The bishop on g2 looks down the long diagonal at the centre. If they play 1...c5.
You play Black
- Sicilian Defense (B90): Trade your c-pawn for White's d-pawn, then a6 keeps White's pieces off b5 and e5 grabs space. If they play 2.c3.
- French Defense (C02): When White pushes e5, hit the base of the pawn chain at d4 with c5, Nc6 and Qb6. If they play 3.exd5.
- Caro-Kann Defense (B19): Solid: c6 backs up d5, and your light bishop gets out before e6 shuts it in. If they play 3.e5.
- Scandinavian Defense (B01): Challenge e4 straight away. The queen steps to a5, safe from attack, and c6 gives her a way home. If they play 3.Nf3.
- Slav Defense (D18): Hold d5 with c6 so your light bishop can come out to f5 before you play e6. If they play 3.cxd5.
- King's Indian Defense (E97): Let White take the centre, castle fast, then strike back with e5 and later attack on the king side. If they play 3.Nf3.
Opening names from the Lichess chess-openings list (CC0). Every line was checked move by move by the rules engine. Part of Chess Path, a free chess course.