Opening for Black - Chess Lessons

Learn The Ruy Lopez Closed Variation

The Closed Variation of the Ruy Lopez has been one of the most popular openings at grandmaster level for generations. Learn the key move orders and ideas for both sides!

M

Chess.com Coach

3 Lessons

Intermediate - Mastery

Learn The Sicilian Rossolimo And Moscow Variations

When Grandmasters play 1.e4, but want to avoid the sharp Open Sicilian, they mostly rely on an early Bb5 move, the Rossolimo and Moscow Variations.

M

Chess.com Coach

3 Lessons

Intermediate - Mastery

Learn The Queen's Gambit Declined: Bf4 Variation

Learn the key ideas in the Bf4 Queen's Gambit for White and Black!

M

Chess.com Coach

3 Lessons

Intermediate - Mastery

World Championship Preparation

How does a contender prepare for a world championship match? GM Romain Edouard, who has worked with Veselin Topalov, shows you opening prep at the highest level.

Every Opening Trap To Crush Your Opponent

Do you want to crush your opponents early in the game? GM Ben Finegold will teach you the ideas behind every opening trap you'll want to know on both sides of the board.

How To Play The Sicilian Kalashnikov

Are you looking for a way to fight against 1.e4? GM Fabien Libiszewski brings you a course on his favorite weapon, the Kalashnikov Sicilian. Surprise your opponents and start an attack right out of the opening!

Every Gambit Refuted

Now featuring wing gambit refutations! GM Eugene Perelshteyn will help with refutations of the most popular unsound gambits that you'll see in online games.

GM

Eugene Perelshteyn

23 Lessons

Doubled Pawns: Pros And Cons

How can you tell when to accept doubled pawns? GM Fabien Libiszewski demonstrates the pros and cons in sharp Caro-Kann and Nimzo Indian variations.

The Sicilian Nimzowitsch Variation

How does IM Tuan Minh Le compete in blitz with the top players in the world? He uses the rare and sharp Nimzowitsch Variation of the Sicilian! In this course Minh Le, along with NM Sam Copeland explains his favorite variation and all of its complications.

Learn the Queen's Gambit Declined

The Queen's Gambit Declined is an extremely solid opening for Black and it's no coincidence that it's been played by nearly every World Champion. Learn the plans and tactics for both sides.

Tips And Tricks Of The London System

Grandmaster Aman Hambleton has played both sides of the London System for years. He knows that many players try the London to reach an easy to play, quiet position, but there are tricks for both sides that can win quickly against an unprepared opponent.

Learn the Ruy Lopez: Tricky Systems

Learn about some of the less popular, but nevertheless, interesting variations in the Ruy Lopez. These include the romantic Schlieman Variation, the positional Exchange Variation and the exciting Open Variation.

Learn the Closed Sicilian

Don't want to jump into an open game with immediate tactics in the Sicilian? Try the Closed Sicilian, where White can delay a tactical skirmish and start a powerful kingside attack, but Black is not without good counter chances.

Learn the Sicilian Dragon

The Sicilian Dragon is a fire-breathing opening! If you're looking for a complicated and fighting line to play against 1.e4, this might be the line for you. If you play 1.e4 and want to know how to handle the Dragon, you'll also want to take a look.

Learn the Ruy Lopez Marshall Attack

Learn how to play the Ruy Lopez Marshall Attack for both White and Black. The Marshall gives Black great attacking chances at the cost of a pawn, leading to exciting play.

Learn the Semi-Slav Defense

The Semi-Slav is one of Black's best counter-attacking options against 1.d4. Some lines are solid and others are among the most complicated in all of chess.

Learn the Ruy Lopez Berlin Defense

In the Berlin Defense White can force a complicated endgame or head for open play. It's considered one of Black's most solid defenses against the Ruy Lopez.

Learn the King's Indian Defense

The King's Indian Defense is possibly Black's best way to play for a win against 1.d4. White gets a space advantage, but Black frequently gets a powerful kingside attack in a blocked position.

Learn the Sicilian Sveshnikov

The Sicilian Sveshnikov is a sharp variation in which Black accepts a backward pawn in return for active pieces and complicated play.

Guide to the Alekhine's Defense

Are you tired of deep theory in many main lines? Join NM Sam Copeland as he demonstrates the exciting and practical Alekhine's Defense, an opening that he has played successfully for years!

Learn the Sicilian Najdorf

The Najdorf is a sharp and complicated opening full of attacking potential for both sides. This is a great opening if you enjoy imbalances, opposite-side castling, and if you need to play for a win as Black.

Play the Tarrasch Defense

If you are looking for an active answer against 1.d4 (and almost everything except 1. e4) - you should watch the course that explains the most important ideas of the Tarrasch Defense. IM Mat Bobula is an expert on the opening and demonstrates one of the most dynamic ways to meet the Queen's Gambit in a 10 part series.

The Fighting Dragon

Join IM Keaton Kiewra on a tour of his favorite opening, the Dragon Sicilian. The Dragon has long been a favorite of attacking stars, including Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura. You'll see their games and more in this detailed examination of an exciting opening.

The Carlsbad Pawn Structure

The Carlsbad Pawn Structure is one of the most important structures in all of chess. You can reach it out of the Queen's Gambit, the Caro-Kann or a variety of other openings. White can aim for a minority attack or kingside play. Black can attack or focus on equality. Learn a structure that was a favorite of many world champions.

How to Play the Philidor Defense

Join GM Ben Finegold on an instructive tour of the Philidor Defense. If you want to play with a pawn on e5, but don't want to work through hours of Ruy Lopez theory, this could be the line for you!