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.
All openings (70)♙ White Openings (34)♟ Black Defenses vs 1. e4 (23)♛ Black Defenses vs 1. d4 (13)🎲 Gambits (13)🪤 Opening Traps (12)🌱 Beginner-Friendly Openings (16)🔥 Aggressive Openings (23)🛡 Solid Openings (18)🎩 Offbeat / Surprise Openings (16)😂 Meme / Fun Openings (8)🚫 Anti-Openings (5)🏗 System Openings (9)🌳 Opening Families (11)🌿 Opening Variations (19)
Showing 5 of 70 openings
♟
WhiteBeginner
Alapin Opening
Family: Anti-Sicilian
ECO: B22
1.e4 c5 2.c3 — the most popular anti-Sicilian. Skip the theory of the Open Sicilian, build a strong center with d4.
Beginner
8
Aggro
5
Solid
8
Trap
4
♟
WhiteBeginner
Alapin Sicilian
Family: Anti-Sicilian
ECO: B22
White's 2.c3 against the Sicilian. Skips the deep theory of the Open Sicilian and builds a classical center with d4.
Beginner
8
Aggro
5
Solid
8
Trap
3
♟
WhiteBeginner
Colle System
ECO: D04, D05
A simple system for White: d4, Nf3, e3, c3, Bd3, Nbd2. Easier than the London but slightly less flexible.
Beginner
9
Aggro
5
Solid
8
Trap
3
♟
WhiteBeginner
London System
ECO: D02, A45, A46
The Bf4 system: play d4, Nf3, Bf4, e3, Bd3, c3, Nbd2 against almost any Black response. Easy to learn, very hard to crack.
Beginner
10
Aggro
4
Solid
9
Trap
3
♟
BlackBeginner
Philidor Defense
Family: Philidor
ECO: C41
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 — old-school solid defense. Cramped but hard to break, especially via the Hanham Variation.
Beginner
8
Aggro
4
Solid
7
Trap
5