The Opening part of Chess

The opening in chess refers to the first couple of moves played at the beginning of a chess match. Opening Theory is like a study for the countless amounts of openings in chess.
There are types of openings:
  • Normal Opening
    • : a Normal opening is an opening where you'd usually play a pawn to the center to control the center like 1.e4 or d4 and then Wherever the game goes to next.
  • A Gambit
    • : A gambit is when you'd give up a pawn or even a piece for some type of middlegame advantage. Either for quicker development, worsening your oppnents position, or trying to win material. Gambits are often very tricky, offbeat, and risky. If you have an opponent that doesn't know what hes doing, you're in luck.


    What Opening to play?

    One thing i love about opening theory is the fact that there are is a humongous variety of openings for you to chose and match your playstyle.
    If you were to ask me, then i'd say Openings for white to try out are:
  • the London System (image 1)
    • : A very positional and closed opening, pefect for those who want to play defensively.
  • The Ruy Lopez
    • : A VERY, VERY, complex, positional, and offensive opening only for those who think they can handle it.
  • Queens Gambit
    • : This Gambit aims to dominate the center by removing the d5 pawn from the center for 2.e4 for total control of the center.
    These are top picks from me to learn as white but what about black? Here are my top picks for black:
  • Sicilian Dragon
    • : The sicilian Dragon comes from the sicilian defence and is the most aggresive sicilian.
  • Caro kann defence
    • : The Caro Kann is a very defensive opening against 1.e4 c6 then 2.d4 d5 as it supports the d pawn with c pawn for central space.
  • Soller Gambit
    • : by sacrificing 3 pawns, you can activate your 2 bishops very quickly for middle game tactics. Like later on you can win the queen if your oppnent follows the script of course.
    Now that I've given you some opening choices, pick your playstyle are try these openings out, if you don't like them you can always search up more online.

    Why is the opening important?

    Your opening tells how you play chess. From the very start if you chose something like an attack (sicilians, scholars mate, ETC), you are an aggresive player aiming for attacks on the king. And if you play something like caro kann it shows you are a defensive player. It's also important as it will test how good at lines and different variations and if you study your opening enough. If you study enough, you should have an upper hand in the middle game but if you don't study enough you will lose to trickier and more offbeat lines from your opponent.