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.

Showing 13 of 70 openings
WhiteIntermediate

Alien Gambit

Family: Caro-Kann
ECO: B11

A modern internet-famous gambit against the Caro-Kann. Sacrifices material for a fierce attack — mostly a surprise weapon.

Beginner
5
Aggro
9
Solid
3
Trap
9
BlackIntermediate

Benko Gambit

Family: Benko
ECO: A57, A58, A59

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5!? — sacrifice a pawn for long-term queenside pressure. Easy to play, hard to refute.

Beginner
6
Aggro
7
Solid
6
Trap
4
WhiteIntermediate

Danish Gambit

ECO: C21

1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3!? — sacrifice up to two pawns for raging attack down the e- and d-files.

Beginner
6
Aggro
10
Solid
3
Trap
8
BlackIntermediate

Elephant Gambit

Family: Elephant
ECO: C40

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5!? — refuted in serious play but a fun online surprise weapon. Sacrifices a pawn for chaos.

Beginner
5
Aggro
9
Solid
3
Trap
8
WhiteIntermediate

Evans Gambit

Family: Italian Game
ECO: C51, C52

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4!? — sacrifice the b-pawn to gain tempo, build a powerful center, and attack.

Beginner
6
Aggro
10
Solid
4
Trap
8
BlackAdvanced

Jaenisch Gambit

Family: Ruy Lopez
ECO: C63

Ruy Lopez with 3...f5!? — Black sacrifices a pawn for sharp counterplay and an open f-file.

Beginner
4
Aggro
9
Solid
4
Trap
7
WhiteIntermediate

King's Gambit

ECO: C30, C31, C32

The romantic-era classic: 1.e4 e5 2.f4. White sacrifices a pawn to rip open the f-file and attack the king.

Beginner
5
Aggro
10
Solid
3
Trap
8
BlackAdvanced

Latvian Gambit

Family: Latvian
ECO: C40

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5!? — the King's Gambit reversed. Wildly aggressive but objectively bad.

Beginner
4
Aggro
10
Solid
2
Trap
8
BlackIntermediate

Rousseau Gambit

Family: Rousseau
ECO: C50

Italian Game with 3...f5 — Black sacrifices a pawn for active play and to avoid Italian theory.

Beginner
5
Aggro
8
Solid
3
Trap
7
WhiteIntermediate

Smith-Morra Gambit

Family: Anti-Sicilian
ECO: B21

1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3!? — White sacrifices a pawn to dodge Sicilian theory and get fast development.

Beginner
6
Aggro
9
Solid
4
Trap
7
BlackIntermediate

Stafford Gambit

Family: Stafford
ECO: C42

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6!? — internet-famous trap-laden gambit popularized by Eric Rosen. Wins games against unprepared opponents.

Beginner
6
Aggro
10
Solid
3
Trap
10
BlackAdvanced

Traxler Counterattack

Family: Italian Game
ECO: C57

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 — Black plays 4...Bc5!? sacrificing material for a vicious attack on f2.

Beginner
5
Aggro
10
Solid
3
Trap
9
WhiteIntermediate

Vienna Gambit

Family: Vienna
ECO: C25, C28, C29

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.

Beginner
6
Aggro
9
Solid
4
Trap
8