Train · Openings
Learn openings by their ideas
Each opening is a story told in 15 moves a side. Every move answers four questions: what does it do, what does it stop, what does it prepare, and why not the obvious alternative. The line is what masters play, checked by Stockfish 19; when the book move is not the engine's first choice, you are told so. Then you drill your side, naming the idea before you play the move.
Open games (1.e4 e5)
Symmetrical centres, quick development, attacks on f7 and f2.
C50 · beginner
Italian Game (Giuoco Pianissimo)
Usually learned as White
C84 · intermediate
Ruy Lopez (Closed)
Usually learned as White
C67 · advanced
Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defence
Usually learned as Black
C45 · intermediate
Scotch Game
Usually learned as White
C42 · intermediate
Petrov's Defence
Usually learned as Black
Sicilian Defence
Black trades a wing pawn for a centre pawn: unbalanced, sharp, both sides play to win.
French and Caro-Kann
Black builds a solid pawn chain and strikes at White's centre later.
Other answers to 1.e4
Black lets White take the centre, then attacks it.
Queen's Gambit
White offers a wing pawn for the centre; Black decides how to hold d5.
Indian defences
Black controls the centre with pieces first and pawns later.
Flank openings and systems
White develops by a plan rather than by an early fight.
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