Hypermodernism of Chess Openings
Hypermodernism in chess is a movement from the early 20th century that sparked the beginning of something extraordinary, like bringing chess to more than one country---
Or is it?
Let's dive into 26 positional openings that were in the era of Hypermodern Chess.
Réti Opening: This is the opening of the chess movement that started with Richard Réti, playing against and defeating chess insanity José Raúl Capablanca. Nf3 is a positional move when you don't want to fight for the centre. I think it is when you're versing players weaker than you and letting them fight for the centre. It's also a key move if you see the player play a move in the way of the knight, like 1. Nf3, e5, you can immediately punish the move by capturing, 2. Nxe5.
King's Indian Defence: first you play (white) d4, stopping the opponent from playing e5, winning tempo and forcing them to play Nf6. Then you take another part of the outer centre, c4. Because if they play Nc6, you punish that by playing e5, Nxd5 (the opponent is dead lost), and you don't take with the Queen, because they can just simply attack it, you take with the pawn, and they are screwed. But your opponent is smart enough, so they play g6, continuing their prep to fianchetto their Bishop on g7. But before that, you bring out your knight c3. When they fianchetto and look like a shy friend, not even waving, you punish them by completely taking the centre by playing e5, and the game continues.
Queen's Indian Defence: You take the centre by playing d4, and they respond with Nf6 with the idea of putting their d pawn on d5 with the defence of the knight. Though you are smart enough, you play c4, stopping them entirely, and they play e6, opening the dark-squared bishop so they can attack later on. But you think, oh, too easy, this player sucks and plays Nf3, developing a piece and still gaining control of the centre. They finally play the B6 opening, the light-squared bishop, and the game goes on.
Nimzo-Indian Defence: This is where you learn a "pin". It's one of these games; d4, Nf6, c4, but then they play the mischievous e6. You know they're super smart, so you continue principled with Nc3. Now, this is principled, but this is bad for your position. Number 1, they can punish it by playing Bb4. And you might be wondering what's wrong with that? Just play a3, saying "hi" to the bishop. Well... yes, you can, but the thing is, you can't really move your knight, and if they try to attack your d and c pawns. But this is all theory, so you can't do much. Next!
Nimzowitsch Defence: 1. e4 Nc6. You can do the Scandinavian Variation, d4, d5, because if you take the d5 paw, the queen enters the game, and you already know it's very dangerous if you're weak (like me) against it. So when they play d5, you play Nc3, they play g6 trying to fianchetto, but you take exd5, Qxd5, you take the Queen on the very next move. But they are smart, remember that. They play the Kennedy variation, e5, and you take, that's bad, why? Because they have a cool centre, now with Bc5, or Nf6.
Grünfeld Defence: It's basically the Nimzo-Indian with 1. d4, Nf6 2. c4, BUT THEN g6 3. Nc3, d5.
Bogo-Indian Defence: It's kind of like the Queen's Indian, but that's not known. 1. d4, Nf6 2. c4, e6 3. Nf3, Bb4+ (check). You can defend with Nbc3, Nbd2, or Nfd2. Sometimes, beginners like to defend with the Queen; don't do that because that's not an equal trade, you're going to lose six points of material and a serious disadvantage because they have a Queen and you don't.
Old Indian Defence: d4, Nf6, c4, d6, all principled because then, for black, you can play with your bishop out, and strike the centre with a pawn break, e5. And white has options, the best move, Nf3, or Nc3, Bf4, or the aggressive Bg5, which would weaken your position and add a threat to your bishop.
Catalan Opening: Again, we are starting with d4, Nf6, c4, e6, g3, looking to fianchetto or, if your aggresive, strike with e5 and end up with your Queen threatening everyone like your mom growling at you when you didn't eat correctly.
King's Indian Attack: The KIA is my second-favourite opening! This variation I'm doing is a copycat version because for the KIA opening, it's normally just for white alone. Here we go: 1. e4, e5 2. d3, d6 3. Nd2, Nd7 4. Nc3, Nc6 5. g3, g6 6. Bg2, Bg7 7. O-O, O-O
Alekhine's Defence: Remember that Grünfeld guy? He played the Alekhine. 1. e4, Nf6. Done. Albeit there are Two Pawns, Four Pawns, Modern Variation, Balogh, and the Two Knights.
Modern Defence: This is closely related to the Pirc Defence, but black says to white you shall ... pass. And delays the sequence of black playing Nf6 when the defence is e4, g6, trying to fianchetto.
Pirc Defence: e4, d6. You can continue by playing Nf3, Nc6, and then you play the smart d4 because you want to grab the centre. They play g6 trying to fianchetto, but you think about yourself and play Nf6, so when they play Bg7, they have a really bad position.
Ponziani Opening: This is a real classic. e4, e5, Nf3, and then c3. All principled, nothing too crazy.
Italian Game: It's a bit quiet like the Ponziani, but e4, e5, Nf3, Nc6, Bc4. What I would do for black because it's such a good position for both players is that I would copy with Bc5, Nc3 and then finally Nf6.
Indian Defence: The defence is simple, 1. d4, Nf6, but we can continue with 2. c4, e6 3. g3, the Catalan, or you could play the Neo-Indian Attack with bishop to 2. c4, e6 3. g5, or the Blumfeld; 2. c4, e6 3. Nf3, c5, 4. d5, b5 and the game continues.
Staunton Gambit: It's technically the Dutch Defence with 1. d4, f5, but then an inaccurate move, 3. e4, allowing white to capture the e pawn with its d pawn.
King's Gambit: 1. e4, e5 2. f4 with white trying to gain the centre.
Evan's Gambit: This, I think, is the continuation of the Italian. Because after 1. e4, e5 2. Nf3, Nc6 3. Bc4, they go Bc5, you go b4?! Why would you ever give up a free pawn? Well, if they go bishop back to c5, and according to Stockfish, you have a chance to go d4, and you're just winning.
Philidor Defence: This is a passive but solid opening for black. 1. e4, e5 2. Nf3, d6 and then later black would play Bg4, Nc6, Qe7, then O-O.
Sicilian Defence: 1. e4, c5. I don't really know what to say. Go here for more info on YT.
French Defence: 1. e4, e6 2. d4, d5. The Advanced variation of this is e4, e6, d4, d5, then e5, blocking black's centre and forcing them to try to figure out what they need to do next with their centre blocked.
Larsen's Opening: 1. b3, Nc6/Nf6 2. Bb2. This opening is usually called a couple of names: the Queen's Fianchetto, Nimzo-Larsen (Arlon Nimzowitch and Bent Larsen), and the Orangutan.
English Opening: 1. e4. Yes, it's that simple. What does it do? It opens the Queen and the Knight. Should I encourage you to play it? Yes, against an idiot, not against a higher-rated player, because they will destroy you if you long castle. And if you know what I mean, you know what I mean. (You would be mated because when you castle, the pawns in front of you should never be open and exploited)
And finally, the Queen's Gambit: 1. d4, d5 2. c4, dxc4 3. Nf3 and the game continues. Yes, the Queen's Gambit is on Netflix as of May 12th, 2026, and yes, that means it's been six years since COVID happened. I know a lot of viewers do not want to be talking about the devastation that happened, but let's look on the bright side: it's gone, the industry is stable, fuel is rising, and there is another virus.
Thank you, guys, for reading. Stay safe, stay happy, and keep learning chess.
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