Openings

Chess openings cover the initial moves of a chess game towards a middle game where those pieces are used to gain an advantage.

Opening theory is a large subject area, and most chess books published discuss openings either at a broad level (repertoires and overviews), or investigate at a narrow but deep level (opening monologues on specific variations of opening systems). Some players prefer to specialise in openings, and become opening theoreticians, other players have pet-opening systems that they remain faithful with (e.g. Maxime Vachier-Legrave’s adherence to the Sicilian Najdorf).

What is a chess opening?

A chess opening is the initial series of moves by both sides where they bring out their pieces in preparation for the middle game. A side who brings out all of their pieces to effective squares and does so quickly holds an advantage over his opponent if he falls behind.