ChessLab Academy
Chess openings, explained move by move
Ten openings that cover most of what you'll meet as a beginner or club player. Each guide shows the main line with a note on every move, the plans for both sides and the most common mistakes, and links to a free interactive lesson with a spoken coach.
Openings for White
- Italian GameC50 · Beginner · 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5
- Ruy LopezC60 · Intermediate · 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6
- Queen's GambitD06 · Beginner · 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6
- London SystemD02 · Beginner · 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6
- Scotch GameC45 · Beginner · 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4
Defences for Black
- Sicilian DefenceB90 · Intermediate · 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4
- French DefenceC11 · Intermediate · 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6
- Caro-Kann DefenceB19 · Beginner · 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4
- Scandinavian DefenceB01 · Beginner · 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5
- King's Indian DefenceE92 · Advanced · 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7
How to learn an opening
Learn the ideas before the moves: control the centre, develop your knights and bishops, and castle. Then play the main line a few times in the opening trainer, which brings back the lines you get wrong.