Major Different types of Openings
Hi , today we will discuss the major types of openings .
Introduction : -
Believe it or not , there are 13 different types of openings based on various things . As we know , opening creates a foundation for a favorable game in our side .
The List is as follows :
Open Games
Semi-Open Games
Closed Games
Semi-Closed Games
Symmetrical Openings
Opening Systems
Gambit Openings
Hypermodern Openings
Classical Openings
Flank Openings
Tactical Openings
Positional Openings
Reversed Openings
We will try to understand these Openings as follows through this map :
Right Click to view image in new tab to see my mind map more clearly
We will discuss the Different types of openings
1) Open Games
'Open Game' refers to an initial position in chess , where the pawns/pawn structure doesn't block minor pieces , thus free-flowing development of pieces is very much possible . Due to these position and long diagonals , bishops tend to be more useful in open games . Open games is also referred to as the move 1. e4 e5 .It is generally recommended that we castle early in Open Games .
Examples Include :
The King's Pawn Opening , here we see we can develop our bishop
Giouco Piano Game , with minor pieces developing
(i) Semi Open Games
A Semi-Open Game is a chess opening in which White plays 1.e4 , but black does not play e5 , does not form symmetry and plays anything , except e5 . A semi-open game happens when some pawns are no longer on the board, but the position is not entirely open. As the name suggests, the semi-open game is somewhere in the middle of an open and a closed game.
Usually, either the d or the e-files will have no pawns in semi-open games.(chess.com's definition)
Some if the Examples of semi open games/openings are as follows :
2) Closed Games
A closed game happens when most pawns/pawn structure are fixed and blocking one another, especially the e and d-pawns. In these situations, there are few open lines and diagonals for the pieces to move on. It is categorized by the moves 1. d4 d5 . It is said that there is no recommended time for castling , unlike Open Games .
Examples include :
(i) Semi-Closed Game
A Semi-Closed Game (or Semi-Closed Opening) is a chess opening in which White plays 1.d4 but Black does not make the symmetrical reply by playing d5 . We can play many other solid moves instead of d5
The Example of Semi Closed Openings are as follows :
3) Openings Based on Symmetry
As rightly said by IM Levy Rozman a.k.a GothamChess that 'Symmetry is the best solution' .
Even the famous Chess Engine , AlphaZero was known to have problems of finding advantages in symmetrical Openings . There are 2 types of openings based on symmetry
1) Symmetrical Openings
It refers to the few openings in which some moves are exactly symmetrical from both sides
Some of the Examples are :
Symmetrical Defense / Austrian Defense
English Openings : Symmetrical Defense
Asymmetrical Openings :
The Openings that doesn't have any symmetry are known as asymmetrical Openings . Many openings are asymmetrical
Some of the Examples are
Etc.
4) Gambits
A gambit is a chess opening in which a player sacrifices pawn/material with the aim of achieving a subsequent positional advantage , which includes lead in development or positional superiority. There are 3 types of terms in Gambits :
To understand these 3 terms , we will take a view from the Queens Gambit Opening !
1) Accepted Gambit :
As the name suggest , the opponent accept the gambit (i.e capture the free offered pawn/material)
2) Declined Gambit
When we decline the free material given to us
3) Counter Gambit
When we play a gambit in response to the opponent's gambit
4) Openings Based on Chess Terms
Now we will discuss openings named after some important chess terms .
We will discuss the following openings :
1) Positional Openings : As the name suggest , these are those openings , that lead to positionally solid position after in the openings . These openings are for those who just want to have a position where they can find positional advantages in their favour . The Examples include :
2) Tactical Openings
As the name suggest , these are the openings that give way to complicated , tactical positions , which make the game very interesting. So , if you are a tactical/aggressive/ballsy player , you should go with these tactical openings :
Sicilian Defense Najdorf Variation
3) Flank Openings
Flank Openings refer to those type of openings where our aim is not to normally develop or fight for the center ,but to 'passively develop our pieces' , which includes fianchettoeing our bishops to long diagonals or maneuvering our knights . Examples are :
5) Openings based on time periods
Now we will discuss about different opening that were discovered/revived during different time periods . Here , we have 3 categories of these openings :
1) Classical Openings :
There are the opening that are been played since a long long time . These are also called Evergreen Openings . The Examples Include :
2) Modern Openings :
As the name suggests , these are the openings that were revived / popularized during the 'modern' times . Examples Include :
Berlin Defense (popularized by GM Vladmir Kramnik)
3) Hypermodern Openings
As the name says , Hypermodern Openings are those opening ideas / theory that emerged after World War I. It featured challenges to the chess ideas of central European masters, including Wilhelm Steinitz's approach to the centre and the rules established by Siegbert Tarrasch. (source -Wikipedia)
The Examples are :
Modern Defense w/ 1.e4 and 1.d4
Cheers <3
