Opening Library
Every opening worth knowing — from the Italian Game and Caro-Kann to the Stafford Gambit and the Grob. Each one has its own page with video lessons, key ideas, and common mistakes.
Berlin Defense
Ruy Lopez with 3...Nf6 — the famous "Berlin Wall" used by Kramnik to neutralize Kasparov. Leads to a tough, slightly drawish endgame.
Dragon Sicilian
Sharp Sicilian variation: Black fianchettoes the king's bishop on g7 and attacks the queenside while White attacks the kingside in opposite-side castling battles.
Jaenisch Gambit
Ruy Lopez with 3...f5!? — Black sacrifices a pawn for sharp counterplay and an open f-file.
Najdorf Sicilian
The most respected Sicilian variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6. Played by Fischer and Kasparov. Massive theory, flexible plans.
Scheveningen Sicilian
The "small center" Sicilian: Black plays ...e6 and ...d6 with flexible piece development. Often reached via Najdorf move orders.
Semi-Slav Defense
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 — the fighting Slav. Combines solid structure with sharp counterplay (Meran, Botvinnik, Anti-Meran).
Traxler Counterattack
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 — Black plays 4...Bc5!? sacrificing material for a vicious attack on f2.