Best for Blitz and Bullet Games—The Englund Gambit

The Englund Gambit is a notorious opening for Black vs. 1.d4. Risking everything to ensnare White in a trap, it's often considered reckless, yet scores brilliantly in blitz and bullet games! Its offspring, the Harlaub-Charlick Gambit, is more solid and...

Tags: Blitz, chess openings, Englund Gambit Posted by: charliemorton

Starting Out With The London System

The London System is one of White's best and most popular opening choices. Learn everything you need to play it!

Tags: chess openings, London System, White Posted by: Nathan Rose

Fight The Queen’s Gambit With The Albin Countergambit

Learn the Albin Countergambit—an edgy and exciting way to counter the Queen’s Gambit! Boasting some delicious tricks and traps, the opening can win Black the game within 10 moves. Despite being rarely played, it’s the highest scoring response to the...

Tags: Albin Countergambit, black, chess openings Posted by: charliemorton

The Best Answer to 1.d4: The Old Benoni Defense

At club level, White’s most successful answer to 1.d4 is the Old Benoni Defense! Full of tricks and traps, playing vs 1.d4 will never be boring again!

Tags: black, chess openings, chess players, Club Players, Old Benoni Posted by: charliemorton

Punish The Caro-Kann With The Advance Variation

Against the Caro-Kann, the Advance Variation is an excellent way to play for a win with White. Get Black out of their comfort zone!

Tags: Advance Variation, caro Kann, Chess Opening, White Posted by: Nathan Rose

Surprise Black With The Vienna Game

Learn the Vienna Game and the explosive Vienna Gambit! As one of the highest scoring openings in club level chess, this is essential reading for all attacking players. By playing 3.f4, Black launches a ferocious attack on the center and...

Tags: chess matches, Chess Opening, Vienna Game, White Posted by: charliemorton

Best for Beginners - The Scandinavian Defense Modern Variation

Learn the Scandinavian Defense Modern Variation! A simple, aggressive opening that’s one of the highest scoring for Black beginner and intermediate levels. In this guide, we’ll show you how to punish errors that nearly all your opponents will make! We’ll...

Tags: chess openings, chess strategy, Scandinavian defense Posted by: charliemorton

The Sicilian Defense: Master The Open Sicilian

The strongest option to fight against the Sicilian Defense with White is the Open Sicilian. In this article we show you how to get started.

Tags: Chess Opening, chess tactics, Open Sicilian, Sicilian Defense, White Posted by: Nathan Rose

The Best Answer to the Ruy Lopez: The Schliemann Defense

Learn the Schliemann Defense – a rare and brilliant way to defy the Ruy Lopez for Black! Scoring much more highly than any other response to the Ruy Lopez, the Schliemann is the only variation that wins Black a majority!...

Tags: chess openings, Schliemann Defense Posted by: charliemorton

Tame The King's Indian Defense With The Makogonov Variation

The Makogonov Variation is a great choice to fight against the King's Indian Defense. Learn all you need to start playing it successfully!

Tags: Chess Opening, King's Indian, Makogonov Variation, White Posted by: Nathan Rose

The Best Opening vs. Italian Game: The Rousseau Gambit

Learn the Rousseau Gambit – the highest scoring answer to the Italian Game! Shock your opponents by playing 3...f5 and risking it all to lure White into a series of deadly traps. With pitfalls at every turn, soon you’ll see...

Tags: chess matches, Chess Opening, Rousseau Gambit Posted by: charliemorton

Master The Ruy Lopez

When it comes to chess openings, the Ruy Lopez is probably the most famous and is used by players of every level. Find out what makes this ancient opening so enduring.

Tags: Chess Opening, Ruy Lopez, White Posted by: Nathan Rose