Ruy Lopez
The Ruy Lopez (also known as the Spanish Game) is named after the Spanish priest who analyzed this opening in 1561. Nearly 500 years later, the Ruy Lopez is now one of the most popular chess openings at all levels. Many variations have been thoroughly studied, and a wide variety of strategic plans are available to both White and Black.
The starting position of the Ruy Lopez is reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5.
The Ruy Lopez (also known as the Spanish Game) is named after the Spanish priest who analyzed this opening in 1561. Nearly 500 years later, the Ruy Lopez is now one of the most popular chess openings at all levels. Many variations have been thoroughly studied, and a wide variety of strategic plans are available to both White and Black.
The starting position of the Ruy Lopez is reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5.
Italian Game
Probably one of the oldest chess openings, the Italian Game is reached by the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4. It remained quite popular through the 19th century, but has been replaced by the Ruy Lopez as White's favorite choice after 1. e4 e5. Bc4 targets Black's potentially weak f7 pawn, but improved defensive technique has shown this to be less dangerous to Black than Bb5. Nevertheless, the Italian Game often leads to aggressive, open positions which can be fun to play. This opening is still seen at all levels - and is quite popular among club players.
Probably one of the oldest chess openings, the Italian Game is reached by the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4. It remained quite popular through the 19th century, but has been replaced by the Ruy Lopez as White's favorite choice after 1. e4 e5. Bc4 targets Black's potentially weak f7 pawn, but improved defensive technique has shown this to be less dangerous to Black than Bb5. Nevertheless, the Italian Game often leads to aggressive, open positions which can be fun to play. This opening is still seen at all levels - and is quite popular among club players.
Sicilian Defense
The Sicilian Defense (1. e4 c5) is currently Black's most popular response to e4, especially at higher levels of chess. By playing c5, Black immediately fights for the center and attacks d4, but avoids the symmetry of e5. The Sicilian Defense usually leads to a complex struggle where both sides can play for a win.
The Sicilian Defense (1. e4 c5) is currently Black's most popular response to e4, especially at higher levels of chess. By playing c5, Black immediately fights for the center and attacks d4, but avoids the symmetry of e5. The Sicilian Defense usually leads to a complex struggle where both sides can play for a win.
French Defense
The French Defense (1. e4 e6) lets White take the central squares and limits the scope of his king's bishop, but prevents tactics against f7 while allowing Black to have activity on the queenside and counterplay in the center.
After the most typical line of 2. d4 d5, White's e-pawn is immediately pressured, and White must decide how to deal with this.
The French Defense (1. e4 e6) lets White take the central squares and limits the scope of his king's bishop, but prevents tactics against f7 while allowing Black to have activity on the queenside and counterplay in the center.
After the most typical line of 2. d4 d5, White's e-pawn is immediately pressured, and White must decide how to deal with this.
Queen's Gambit
White players who like a more positional game tend to play 1. d4 to 1. e4, after which the c4 break is the best way to play for an advantage (either on the second move or soon after). The Queen's Gambit, marked by the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4, is one of the oldest known chess openings. This classical approach "offers" a pawn (in reality, Black cannot expect to hold onto the pawn if he chooses to capture it) in exchange for a stronger center.
White players who like a more positional game tend to play 1. d4 to 1. e4, after which the c4 break is the best way to play for an advantage (either on the second move or soon after). The Queen's Gambit, marked by the moves 1. d4 d5 2. c4, is one of the oldest known chess openings. This classical approach "offers" a pawn (in reality, Black cannot expect to hold onto the pawn if he chooses to capture it) in exchange for a stronger center.