The Best Chess Openings For Beginners
Hello Everyone,
Firstly I would like to thank all of you who read my first ever blog (https://www.chess.com/blog/JumpingCast1e/paul-keres-the-world-s-greatest). It was much appreciated and because of that, I am back with another one. So, without further ado, here are the top 10 Chess openings for beginners.
- The London System
This opening is extremely common being its use rate, (over 16,000 games played on chess.com). It is known for its simplicity as it doesn`t give major attacking opportunities to either side as the D-pawns are double protected by both players. This sequence starts with both D-pawns being pushed up two squares (to D-4,5) before white brings his bishop into the game and symmetrical knights are developed.
- The English Opening
The English Opening is a less common but highly effective opening. In the 420,000+ games played on chess.com white wins over 13% more than his/her opponent. This is mainly because not many people have a direct response to this and can fall into a number of traps. This opening begins with C4 being played to directly counter blacks D-pawn. It also plans to involve the B-file knights early, creating a powerful central presence.
- The Reti Opening
Once more we have a less common opening. This particular opening is very strong at lower levels as it starts the game quietly. In saying that there are gambits for black but none of these are played in FIDE tournaments. White is able to comfortably play on both the King and Queen's side depending on blacks' response. This is a flexible opening that controls whites' kingside through development.
- The French Defense
This “controversial” opening is both loved and hated in the chess community. It concedes central space, but it prevents any future tactics impacting f7 while still maintaining a healthy Queenside to eventually counter whites E-pawn. The French Defense is named after a conference between London and Paris in the 1800s in which it was utilized by the Parisians. This meets whites move of E4 with E6 for the above reasons.
- The Sicilian Defense
The Sicilian Defense is one of the most common defenses to E4 (having been played almost 2 million times on chess.com). However, it is renowned for it`s theoretical based positions making it one of the higher-end openings on this list. Black begins by taking control of the D4 square with a pawn on the side – thus unbalancing the position and giving himself great chances of attack and a high win percentage overall.
- The Caro-Kann Defense
This very popular opening was named after Horatio Caro and Markus Kann who analyzed this position in the 1800s. Black is known to support his move of C6 with D5 to eventually counter whites' E-pawn. This is a quiet opening due to its sound pawn structure and free light-colored bishop.
- The Scotch Game
Rather than develop another piece, in the Scotch Game White chooses to break open the center, challenging the E5 pawn. This opening was named after an 1824 correspondence game between Edinburgh and London. This is an extremely strong opening as it guarantees white a space advantage and because black is unable to hold the E-pawn.
- The Queens Gambit
My personal favorite, The Queen`s Gambit. Has two main variations that have multiple branches. Starting with the Accepted and Declined there are theoretical and basic development variations making it possible for all types of players to enjoy. White immediately strikes at Black's central pawn from the side. Although the c4 pawn is not guarded, this is not a 'real' gambit, since White can always get the pawn back if he wants.
- The Italian Game
In the Italian game - first played by Italian chess masters as long ago as the sixteenth century - White develops the bishop to a strong diagonal, aiming through the center at f7. Depending on how the players continue, it may turn into open, gambit play; or slower, maneuvering play. This is possibly the easiest opening of all as it centralizes around the threat of the Fried-Liver Attack.
- The Ruy Lopez Opening
Also called the "Spanish Game", the Ruy Lopez is one of the most popular openings in chess. White's Bb5 move puts pressure on the knight which is guarding the center while developing rapidly. The opening is named after the sixteenth-century Spanish priest Ruy Lopez de Segura. This opening is the best here once mastered, however, this takes years of practice due to its immense number of lines.
