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.
Alien Gambit
A modern internet-famous gambit against the Caro-Kann. Sacrifices material for a fierce attack — mostly a surprise weapon.
Benoni Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 — asymmetric structure, dynamic play, kingside fianchetto, queenside counterplay.
Bird Opening
1.f4 — the From-the-side opening. Aims for kingside attack but weakens White's king slightly.
Danish Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3!? — sacrifice up to two pawns for raging attack down the e- and d-files.
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.
Dutch Defense
1.d4 f5 — fight for the e4 square and prepare a kingside attack. Three main systems: Stonewall, Leningrad, Classical.
Elephant Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5!? — refuted in serious play but a fun online surprise weapon. Sacrifices a pawn for chaos.
Evans Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4!? — sacrifice the b-pawn to gain tempo, build a powerful center, and attack.
Fried Liver Attack
The most famous beginner trap: after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5? 6.Nxf7! — sacrifices a knight to drag the king to the open board.
Grob Opening
1.g4!? — almost universally considered bad, but a notorious surprise weapon online. Trick or be tricked.
Grünfeld Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 — let White build the giant center, then dismantle it with piece pressure.
Jaenisch Gambit
Ruy Lopez with 3...f5!? — Black sacrifices a pawn for sharp counterplay and an open f-file.
Jobava London
The aggressive London cousin: 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4. Sacrifices solidity for kingside attacking chances.
King's Gambit
The romantic-era classic: 1.e4 e5 2.f4. White sacrifices a pawn to rip open the f-file and attack the king.
King's Indian Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 — let White build the center, then attack it with ...e5 or ...c5. Hypermodern, double-edged, beloved by attacking players.
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.
Smith-Morra Gambit
1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3!? — White sacrifices a pawn to dodge Sicilian theory and get fast development.
Stafford Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6!? — internet-famous trap-laden gambit popularized by Eric Rosen. Wins games against unprepared opponents.
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.
Trompowsky Attack
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 — immediate pressure on the f6 knight. Avoids tons of Black's d4 theory.
Veresov Attack
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5 — the queenside cousin of the Trompowsky. Aggressive but theoretically dubious.
Vienna Gambit
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4!? — White sacrifices a pawn for fast development and a kingside attack. A favorite of beginners and online players.