Opening lines
The openings and gambits the club plays, each with the moves to play through.
Every opening below has a board you can play through, with Graham’s own notes on the moves. Start with the seven rules, then pick a line and follow it to the end — the point is not to memorise them, but to see what each one is trying to do.
If you have not read it yet, chess openings explains why the first few moves matter at all.
Seven simple rules to improve your chess
Get these fixed in your head:
- Control the centre with a pawn to e4 or d4.
- Develop all your minor pieces — knights before bishops, normally.
- Castle early, to safeguard your king and activate the rook.
- Ask yourself: what is my opponent’s idea?
- Swap off if you have extra material.
- Don’t give away your queen like it’s a Christmas gift.
- Push pawns. They don’t go backwards, and they can become queens.
That fifth one is worth seeing. Here White is a rook and a pawn up, but with everything still on the board it is hard to feel:
Trade equal pieces off from both sides and it could look like this:
Now White’s advantage is plain — a rook and a pawn to the good, and what should be an easy win by using the king and rook to pick off Black’s pawns.
Openings for White after 1.e4
The Giuoco Piano
The key to a good position out of the opening is controlling the centre, and many games begin with White playing e4. The Italian Game, or Giuoco Piano, takes clear aim at the f7 pawn and can be a dangerous opening for Black to defend.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6
You will see this in many openings, now each side developes a Bishop
3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3
moving the pawn to c3 instead of the Knight is better
4… Nf6 5. d4
Black attacks the e pawn and White attacks the Bishop, here Black usually takes the pawn
5… exd4 6. cxd4
the c3 square is now available for the Knight and White has control of the centre
6… Bb4+ 7. Bd2
Blocking the attack
7… Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5
Attacking White's centre
9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Qb3 Nce7
In this variation, White has a Battery and is ready to castle as is Black. Position is fairly equal although white has an isolated pawn
1/2–1/2
The Evans Gambit
The Evans Gambit — named after Captain William Davies Evans, who first played it in 1827 — is a pawn sacrifice, and an attacking line of the Giuoco Piano. White gambits the b4 pawn to divert the black bishop on c5. If Black accepts, White follows up with c3 and d4, ripping open the centre, and opens diagonals for Ba3 or Qb3 — the first stopping Black castling kingside, the second going after f7.
Three examples of how the games tend to go:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Be7 6. d4
6… exd4 7. Qb3 Nh6 8. Bxh6 gxh6 9. Bxf7+ Kf8 10. Bh5 Na5
11. Qf7#
1–0
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Bc5 6. d4
6… exd4 7. O-O dxc3 8. Bxf7+ Kxf7 9. Qd5+ Kf8 10. Qxc5+
10… d6 11. Qxc3
1–0
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4 Bxb4 5. c3 Ba5 6. d4
6… exd4 7. O-O dxc3 8. Qb3 Qe7 9. Nxc3 Nf6 10. Nd5 Nxd5
11. exd5 Ne5 12. Nxe5 Qxe5 13. Bb2 Qg5 14. h4 Qxh4 15. Bxg7
15… Rg8 16. Rfe1+ Kd8 17. Qg3 Qxg3 18. Bf6#
1–0
The Fried Liver Attack
The Fried Liver Attack holds the award for the coolest opening name in chess. This variation of the Two Knights Defence involves a bold knight sacrifice which forces the black king to walk the plank.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6
All book moves until....
4. Ng5
an aggresive attack with knight and Bishop eyeballing f7 square
4… d5
an attempt to block the Bishop
5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7
white ignores the block
6… Kxf7 7. Qf3+
now the queen comes to the party
7… Ke8 8. Bxd5
setting up checkmate on f7
8… Nd4 9. Qf7#
1–0
The Ruy Lopez
One of the oldest openings there is, and still one of the most played at every level.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6
In this variation Black chooses to chase away the White Bishop which could take the Knight, called the exchange variation
4. Ba4
White maintains the pressure on the Knight
4… Nf6 5. O-O
Black attacks the e4 pawn, White castles ready to play Re1 which would win back the pawn on e5
5… Be7 6. Re1
White threatens BxN followed by Nxe5
6… b5 7. Bb3
Black no longer has to worry about his e5 pawn
7… O-O 8. c3 d6 9. h3
preventing the Black bishop to pin the Knight on g4
9… Na5
attacks the strong White Bishop on b3
10. Bc2 c5
Black gains space on the Queen side and exerts influence on d4
11. d4
this is the basic starting position after 11 moves by White. If Black exchanges on d4 with the c-pawn, the c file will open up for counterplay. If -
11… exd4 12. cxd4 c4
we get an unbalanced pawn structure
1–0
There is a short video showing the basics of this opening, which plays on YouTube rather than here.
The Vienna Gambit
To play the Vienna Gambit you must have the white pieces and begin with the king’s pawn, and Black must reply with theirs (1.e4 e5). On the second move White develops the queen’s knight with 2.Nc3, which is the start of the Vienna Game.
Learn the moves ‘parrot’ fashion and win lots of games.
1. e4 e5 2. Nc3
developing the Queen's knight before the King's knight is the Vienna opening
2… Nf6 3. f4
The Vienna Gambit
3… exf4
Black accepts the gambit, arguably a mistake
4. e5
the only safe square for the knight is back home
4… Qe7
Creating a Pin
5. Qe2
breaking the pin, now the Knight has to move
5… Ng8 6. Nf3
developing the knight stops Black's Queen going to h4 with check
6… d6
looking to remove white's e5 pawn
7. Nd5
attacking the Queen, looking at c7 with check
7… Qd7 8. Nxc7+ Qxc7
Black didn't want to lose the Rook, so took the Knight..Blunder
9. exd6+
Discovered check!
9… Qe7 10. dxe7
not taken with the Queen as Bishop would win White's Queen back
Openings for White after 1.d4 and others
The London System
A very solid and easy opening to learn, which develops your pieces quickly and safely without having to worry too much about what Black is doing.
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4
it's important to get the Bishop out in front of the Pawn chain
2… Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. c3
the sequence of the next few moves can vary depending on how Black plays
4… Bg4 5. Nf3 e6 6. Bd3 Be7 7. Nbd2 O-O 8. O-O a6 9. Qc2
9… h6 10. Rac1 b5 11. Rfe1
this is the ideal position to take you into the middle game
1–0
The Colle System is very similar to the London, except that White keeps the dark-squared bishop on the back row instead of moving it to f4 on move two.
There is a ten-minute video explaining this opening in more detail, and plenty of others online if you find it interesting.
The Queen’s Gambit
Similar to the London System, the Queen’s Gambit opens with d4 — but the similarity stops there, as White strives to control the centre quickly with c4 on move two, if Black allows it. It is important to develop and castle before attacking.
These short examples are the declined version. Black can of course take on c4 on move two, which is the accepted gambit; in that case play e3 or e4 and win the pawn back.
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6
Queens gambit declined, if Black takes c4 then white plays e4 and has a strong centre
3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5
trade in the centre and Bishop comes out to pin the knight
4… exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3
allows the other Bishop to come to d3
6… O-O 7. Bd3 c6 8. Qc2
creates a battery on the diagonal
8… Nbd7 9. Nge2
now white is ready to castle
9… Re8 10. O-O a6 11. f3
with the idea to play e4 which is your main pawn break
A similar set-up to the London, with some subtle differences:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3
develop both of your knights
3… Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4
don't block your Bishop with e3, move it first
5… O-O 6. e3 Nbd7 7. Bd3
develop other Bishop and castle
7… c6 8. O-O
The Stonewall Attack
The Stonewall Attack is a straightforward and versatile opening for White, ideal for players aiming at a 1500 rating. It is similar to the London, and begins with either 1.d4 or 1.f4, followed by 2.e3 — or 2.Nf3 if f4 came first. That breaks the principle of not blocking in your bishop, but for a specific purpose: develop the bishop to d3, then play f4, creating the characteristic zigzag pawn structure on c3, d4, e3 and f4 that supports a strong centre and prepares a kingside attack.
It is easy to learn and scales well from beginner to advanced. It offers a clear plan in the middlegame, often a rook lift — Rf3, then Rh3 — to attack the kingside, especially if Black castles there. It is both positional and tactical, and it gives a solid grip on the e5 square, which makes it hard for Black to challenge White’s centre.
Against different Black replies, such as …d5 or …Nf6, the set-up stays largely the same. The key ideas are c3 to support d4, knights to f3 and d2, and preparing an e4 push against set-ups like the King’s Indian Defence. It needs very little memorising and gives improving players a solid foundation.
Play it for at least ten games to get comfortable with the positions and plans, and save the moves afterwards for reference and study.
1. d4 d5 2. e3 Nf6 3. Bd3 e6 4. f4 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nf3
6… Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Nbd2 b6 9. Ne5 Bb7 10. Rf3 Re8 11. Rh3
11… Rc8 12. Bxh7+ Nxh7 13. Qh5 Nf6 14. Qh8#
1–0
The Tennison Gambit
An aggressive gambit for White. It can arise after Black goes for the Scandinavian Defence, or if White plays the Réti and Black replies 1…d5. It is not common in master games, but it is a perfectly playable line at club level — a winning sword attack by White’s queen on Black’s.
1. Nf3 d5 2. e4 dxe4
the start of the gambit, White offers the e4 pawn which Black takes
3. Ng5 Nf6
Black defends his e4 pawn
4. d3 exd3
white gambles yet another pawn to get out his Bishop
5. Bxd3 h6
hoping to chase away white's knight, but....
6. Nxf7 Kxf7
unprotected piece? Black's King gobbles that up
7. Bg6+ Kxg6
another undefended piece, yum yum
8. Qxd8
OH NO, my Queen!
1–0
Defences for Black
The French Defence
Usually this comes after White opens with e4, Black replies e6, White plays d4 and Black plays d5. There are then a couple of options: push on to e5, or take with exd5.
Incidentally, if White opens with d4, Black can still play e6 with the idea of the Dutch — but we will leave that for another day.
First, the Advanced Variation.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5
In this variation Black's c8 Bishop can be a problem to get into the game, when possible, swap off White's better white square Bishop ASAP
3… Nc6 (dubious move)
c5 is another option, attacking the centre
4. Nf3 Nge7 5. Bd3 Nb4
attack White's good Bishop
6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7
This is good for Black, exchanging White's good Bishop for Black's notorious c8 bad Bishop
8. c3 Nbc6 9. O-O Ng6 10. Nbd2 Be7
Black now has the choice to castle long or short, after looking at the position.
Second, the Exchange Variation.
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5 exd5
Exchange Variation
4. Nf3 Nc6 5. Be2 Bg4 6. O-O Bd6 7. c3 Nge7 8. Nbd2 Qd7
9. Re1 O-O-O (dubious move)
Castling long with the idea of a King side attack
10. Nf1 (dubious move)
White wants to reposition the Knight and release the Bishop on c1
10… f6 11. h3 Bf5 12. b4 Ng6
Notice how Black has both Bishops, Queen and Knight all looking towards the White King side.
13. b5 Nce7 14. Qa4 Kb8
Black looking to defend against Queenside attack
White has brought the queen out too early, and the bishop and knight are sadly still on the back row.
The Sicilian Defence
The Sicilian Dragon is named for the likeness of its pawn structure to the constellation Draco. Having played 2…d6 and 4…Nf6 — which induces 5.Nc3 and blocks the c-pawn — Black fianchettoes the king’s bishop, which then shoots along a strong, long diagonal.
- Extremely sharp
- Unique positions
- Great attacking chances for Black
1. e4 c5
the idea of this move is to prevent White from having a pawn on d4
2. Nf3 d6 3. d4
Black must not allow this so takes
3… cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
develop and attack
5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7
this is what's known as the 'Dragon' Bishop
7. Qd2
White creates a battery with Queen and Bishop
7… O-O 8. Bc4
White has all minor pieces developed, Black has castled, but needs to develop
8… Bd7 9. O-O-O Nc6
Black has now developed all minor pieces
10. Bb3 Rc8 11. f3
strengthening e4
11… Ne5 12. h4 h5
Blocking 'Harry' pawn from going to h5 and h6
Owen’s Defence
A series of moves Black can play against most e4 and d4 openings from White.
1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nc3 e6 4. Nf3 Bb4 5. Bd3
Instead of Bd3:
5. Bd2 Bxc3 6. Bxc3 Bxe4 7. Bd3 Nf6 8. Bxe4 Nxe4
9. Qd3 d5
5… Nf6 6. e5
Instead of e5:
6. Qe2 d5 7. e5 Ne4 8. Bxe4 dxe4 9. Ng5 Qxd4
6… Ne4 7. Bd2
Instead of Bd2:
7. Bxe4 Bxe4 8. O-O Bxc3 9. bxc3 O-O 10. Re1 Bb7
7… Bxc3 8. bxc3 d6
Instead of d6:
8… d5 9. exd6 cxd6
9. O-O Nd7 10. Re1 Nxd2 11. Qxd2 Bxf3 12. gxf3 dxe5 13. dxe5
13… O-O
Gambits and traps for Black
The Traxler Counter Attack
A very aggressive way to fight the Knight Attack, or the Fried Liver, in the Two Knights Italian. Black simply ignores White’s attack on the weakness at f7 and carries on developing. White has to accept the sacrifice — and the black queen sends the white queen to Davy Jones’ locker. Arrghhh, Jim lad!
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. Ng5
same position as the Fried Liver Attack, but bkack plays a surprise move..
4… Bc5 5. Nxf7
White continues with it's plan
5… Bxf2+ 6. Kxf2
take the Bishop? why not
6… Nxe4+ 7. Ke1 Qh4+
the start of Black's attack
8. g3 Nxg3 9. hxg3 Qxh1+ 10. Ke2 Nd4+
the knight joins in the fun
11. Kd3 Qxd1
the white Queen's head must roll
12. Na3 Qf3#
The Stafford Gambit
In the words of Eric Rosen: “Stafford Gambit time.”
The Stafford Gambit is an objectively dubious but highly venomous opening. A variation of Petrov’s Defence, Black sacrifices a pawn on the third move for a quick attack. Is it sound? Should White accept it to gain an advantage, or decline it?
It certainly isn’t an objectively good opening. But it is tricky, and it can be a real weapon for Black in blitz and bullet games if White does not know it — and it will give you some fun wins.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5
White captures the 'free'e pawn
3… Nc6
the Stafford gambit, tempting white to trade it's only developed piece
4. Nxc6 dxc6 5. d3 Bc5
developing the Bishop to eyeball the f2 pawn
6. Bg5 Nxe4
white thought the knight was pinned so takes the 'poisoned' Queen
7. Bxd8 Bxf2+
the king can only run to e2, but....
8. Ke2 Bg4#
stunning checkmate with the other Bishop
0–1
The Englund Gambit
This gambit — or trap — shows the power of the black queen. It breaks the principle of not bringing the queen out early, but she gets quick help from the black knight and bishop. There are other moves White could make, but if your opponent does not know them, the pirate will sink White’s ship very quickly indeed.
1. d4 e5 2. dxe5
Gambit excepted, now Black builds up pressure on the e5 pawn
2… Nc6 3. Nf3 Qe7 4. Bf4 Qb4+
Queen check and attacks Bishop on f4, Bishop must move back
5. Bd2 Qxb2
Threatening to take the Rook
6. Bc3 Bb4
Pinning the Bishop, Queen d2 may seem logical
7. Qd2 Bxc3 8. Qxc3
Nice try, but.......
8… Qc1#
Checkmate!
0–1
More traps and quick finishes are on the chess traps page, the swashbuckling ones are gathered on become a chess board ‘pirate’, and the other side of the coin — not handing your opponent a piece — is on blunders and dangerous squares.