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.
Latvian Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5!? — the King's Gambit reversed. Wildly aggressive but objectively bad.
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.
Sicilian Defense
1.e4 c5 — the most popular and combative response to 1.e4. Black fights for d4 and creates an asymmetric battle. Favored by Kasparov, Carlsen, and most attacking players.
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.