The Top 5 Opening Moves That Say “I Know What I’m Doing (Even If I Don’t)”
The Top 5 Opening Moves That Say “I Know What I’m Doing (Even If I Don’t)”
Posted by stellarshine ♟ · For online players leveling up with confidence.
You’re on Chess.com, your clock is ticking, and some stranger with a dragon avatar just hit you with 1.e4 like they were born in a tournament.
You? You’re staring at your screen like:
"What do I even do here?"
Relax. Whether you’re rated 400 or just trying not to embarrass yourself in front of your friend group, here are 5 openings that scream confidence—even if you’re secretly Googling “what does Nf3 mean??”
♙ 1. The Italian Game – Fast & Flirty
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4
A go-to favorite in the online world. It gives you fast development and puts pressure on your opponent right away. And online? Speed matters. This one’s all vibes and early attacks.
💬 Chat Energy: “Good luck 😎” while already threatening f7.
♙ 2. The Queen’s Gambit – Netflix Famous, Still Iconic
1. d4 d5 2. c4
Yes, that Queen’s Gambit. Still one of the most respected and flexible openings in chess. On platforms like Lichess and Chess.com, it gives you great control and long-term strategy—perfect for outplaying your opponent over time.
📈 Online Mood: Climbing the rating ladder one pawn sacrifice at a time.
♙ 3. The London System – Chill But Deadly
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4
This one's super popular online because it’s easy to learn and hard to break. Solid, flexible, and low-risk. Even if you lag a second? You’re still fine. A favorite in Blitz and Rapid games.
🐢 Speed: Slow start, fast finish. Calm on the outside, chaos in your opponent’s mind.
♙ 4. The Scotch Game – Sneaky Genius Energy
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4
This one cracks the center wide open and gets to the point. If you’re tired of being cramped or getting trapped in 10 moves, try the Scotch. It works fast and throws people off in online matches where speed and surprise win games.
🔥 In the Chat: “Oh, you weren’t ready for this, huh?”
♙ 5. The English Opening – Stylish and Subtle
1. c4
A favorite among online players who don’t like following the usual 1.e4 crowd. This one builds slowly but gives you a ton of control. It’s quiet but super dangerous if your opponent slips even once.
🧠 Online Vibe: Opening soft, but planning savage endgames.
💡Stellarshine's Tip for Online Games:
✨ Pick one opening and stick with it for a bit. Practice it in unrated games or against bots. Don’t stress if you mess up—it’s part of the glow-up. Even Magnus started somewhere.
Bonus: Use the “Analysis” tool after your match to see where you crushed it or could’ve played better. Super useful.
🕹️ Next up on Check, Please!
“How to Spot a Checkmate 3 Moves Ahead—Even if You’re Distracted by a Discord Notification”
Because multitasking is real and your brain deserves a break and a win.
You’ve got the moves. Now make them.
Catch you on the board,
– stellarshine ♟
