Chess Openings

Major Chess Openings and Principal Variations

             NOTES:
             1) This page has been adapted from data on: Craig Knelsen's website,
                 but with some minor corrections and additions.
             2) All moves are shown in condensed algebraic notation. ECO codes in brackets. More detailed information
                 on openings can be found in Modern Chess Openings, 13th edition by W. Korn with N. DeFirmian.
             3) All Openings Variations can be played through on an interactive chess board - follow links.

Alapin's Opening	Albin Counter Gambit	Alekhine's Defense	Benko Gambit
Benoni Defense	Bird's Opening	Bishop's Opening	Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
Blumenfeld Counter Gambit	Bogo-Indian Defense	Budapest Defense	Caro-Kann Defense
Catalan Opening	Center-Counter Defense	Chigorin's Defense	Colle System
Crab Opening	Czech Benoni	Danish Gambit	Döry Defense
Dutch Defense	English Opening	Four Knights Game	French Defense
Grob	Grünfeld Defense	Grünfeld Defense - Neo Grünfeld	Guioco Piano
King's Gambit	King's Indian Attack	King's Indian Defense	King's Fianchetto Defense
Larsen's Opening	Latvian Gambit	Modern Benoni	Nimzo-Indian Defense
Nimzowitsch Defense	Old Indian Defense	Petrov's Defense	Philidor's Defense
Pirc Defense	Polish Attack	Ponziani's Opening	Queens' Bishop Attack
Queen's Gambit Accepted	Queen's Gambit Declined	Queen's Indian Defense	Queen's Pawn Counter-Gambit
Reti Opening	Richter-Veresov Attack	Robatsch Defense	Ruth-Trompowski Attack
Ruy Lopez	Scandinavian Defense	Scotch Game	Semi-Slav Defense
Sicilian Defense	Slav Defense	Three Knights Game	Torre Attack
Two Knights Defense	Vienna Game

Alapin's Opening [C20] - Play Through Variations -

This opening poses no real problems for Black.

   1.  e4 e5   2.  Ne2 Nf6   3.  f4 Nxe4   4.  d3 Nc5   5.  fxe5 d5   6.  d4 Ne6

Albin Counter Gambit [D08] - Play Through Variations -

The Austrian master Adolf Albin used this opening successfully in the latter 19th century. MCO considers it dubious as Black does not gain full value for the pawn. MCO considers the 5 Nbd2 variation best for White.

   1.  d4 d5      2.  c4 e5    3.  dxe5 d4    4.  Nf3 Nc6

 - 5. Nbd2:
   5.  Nbd2 Bg4   6.  a3 Qe7   7.  h3 Bxf3    8.  Nxf3 O-O-O   9.  Qd3 Nxe5

 - 5. a3:
   5.  a3 Be6     6.  e3 dxe3  7.  Qxd8+ Rxd8 8.  Bxe3 Nge7    9.  Bf4 Ng6

Alekhine's Defense [B02] - Play Through Variations -

This hypermodern Defense was successfully played by Alekhine against A. Steiner in 1921 at Budapest but this Defense was well known for more than a 100 years before that. This Defense is considered too chancy by masters. MCO-13 states: "Black's strategy is to provoke a White advance in the center at the expense of tempi lost by Black's king's knight. Black then has targets to attack; White's center may become overextended and collapse. Yet with proper care and restraint White should maintain some advantage in space and mobility." The modern variation is considered to be White's best response.

   1.  e4 Nf6     2.  e5 Nd5

 - Exchange Variation (5... cxd6):
   3.  d4 d6      4.  c4 Nb6      5.  exd6 cxd6 6.  Nf3 g6     7.  Be2 Bg7    8.  O-O O-O
   9.  h3 Nc6    10.  Nc3 Bf5    11.  Be3 d5   12.  c5 Nc4    13.  Bxc4 dxc4

 - Exchange Variation (5... exd6):
   3.  d4 d6      4.  c4 Nb6      5.  exd6 exd6 6.  Nc3 Be7    7.  Be3 Nc6    8.  Bd3 Bf6
   9.  Nge2 O-O  10.  O-O Bg4    11.  f3 Bh5   12.  b3 Re8    13.  Qd2 Bg6

 - Four Pawns Attack (9... Be7):
   3.  d4 d6      4.  c4 Nb6      5.  f4 dxe5   6.  fxe5 Nc6   7.  Be3 Bf5    8.  Nc3 e6
   9.  Nf3 Be7   10.  Be2 O-O    11.  O-O f6   12.  exf6 Bxf6 13.  Qd2 Qe7   14.  Rad1 Rad8

 - Modern Variation (4... Bg4):
   3.  d4 d6      4.  Nf3 Bg4     5.  Be2 e6    6.  O-O Be7    7.  c4 Nb6
   8.  h3 Bh5     9.  Nc3 O-O    10.  Be3 d5   11.  c5 Bxf3!  12.  gxf3 Nc8

 - Modern Variation (4... Nc6):
   3.  d4 d6      4.  Nf3 Nc6     5.  c4 Nb6    6.  e6! fxe6   7.  Nc3 g6
   8.  h4 Bg7     9.  Be3 d5     10.  c5 Nd7   11.  h5 e5     12.  h6 Bf6

 - Modern Variation (4... g6):
   3.  d4 d6      4.  Nf3 g6      5.  Bc4 Nb6   6.  Bb3 Bg7   7.  Ng5 e6
   8.  Qf3 Qe7    9.  Ne4 dxe5   10.  Bg5 Qb4+ 11.  c3 Qa5   12.  Bf6 Bxf6

 - Two Pawns Attack (5. Bc4):
   3.  c4 Nb6     4.  c5 Nd5      5.  Bc4 e6    6.  Nc3 Nxc3  7.  dxc3 Nc6    8.  Bf4 Bxc5
   9.  Qg4 g5!   10.  Bxg5 Rg8   11.  Nh3 Be7  12.  Bxe7 Rxg4 13.  Bxd8 Kxd8 14.  f4 Rxg2

Benko Gambit [A57] - Play Through Variations -

American GM Pal Benko brought this gambit to world attention in the early 1970s. Black gains a slight lead in development, a better pawn structure and pressure along the a and b files for the sac'd pawn. White may find it difficult to make use of the extra pawn.

   1.  d4 Nf6    2.  c4 c5       3.  d5 b5

 - 4 Nf3:
   4.  Nf3 g6    5.  cxb5 a6     6.  Nc3 axb5  7.  d6 Qa5    8.  e3 Ba6
   9.  a4 Bg7   10.  Nd2 c4     11.  Rb1 bxa4

 - Main Line (6. Nc3):
   4.  cxb5 a6   5.  bxa6 Bxa6   6.  Nc3 g6    7.  e4 Bxf1   8.  Kxf1 d6
   9.  g3 Bg7   10.  Kg2 O-O    11.  Nf3 Nbd7 12.  Re1 Ng4  13.  Re2 Qa5

 - Fianchetto Variation:
   4.  cxb5 a6   5.  bxa6 Bxa6   6.  g3 g6     7.  Bg2 d6    8.  Nc3 Bg7
   9.  Nf3 Nd7  10.  O-O Nb6!   11.  Re1 O-O  12.  Bf4 Nc4  13.  Qc1 Qa5

Benoni Defense [A56] - Play Through Variations -

A modern opening known for its aggressive, tactical and almost reckless nature. Black acquires a queenside majority and active pieces at the expense of allowing White to expand in the center.

   1.  d4 Nf6     2.  c4 c5    3.  d5 e6      4.  Nc3 exd5  5.  cxd5 d6

 - Fianchetto Variation:
   6.  Nf3 g6    7.  g3 Bg7    8.  Bg2 O-O    9.  O-O Nbd7 10.  Nd2 a6
  11.  a4 Re8   12.  h3 Rb8   13.  Nc4 Ne5   14.  Na3 Nh5

 - Four Pawns Attack:
   6.  e4 g6     7.  f4 Bg7    8.  Nf3 O-O    9.  Be2 Re8  10.  e5 dxe5
  11.  fxe5 Ng4 12.  Bg5 Qb6  13.  O-O Nxe5  14.  d6 Qxb2  15.  Nd5 Bf5

 - Main Line (9... Re8):
   6.  Nf3 g6     7.  e4 Bg7   8.  Be2 O-O    9.  O-O Re8  10.  Nd2 Nbd7
  11.  a4 Ne5    12.  Qc2 g5  13.  b3 g4     14.  Bb2 Nh5  15.  g3 f5

 - Main Line (9... a6):
   6.  Nf3 g6    7.  e4 Bg7    8.  Be2 O-O    9.  O-O a6   10.  a4 Bg4
  11.  Bf4 Bxf3 12.  Bxf3 Qe7 13.  Re1 Nbd7  14.  Qd2 h5   15.  h3 c4

 - Taimanov Variation:
   6.  e4 g6     7.  f4 Bg7    8.  Bb5+ Nbd7  9.  a4 O-O   10.  Nf3 Na6 (Ne8? Check)
  11.  O-O Rb8  12.  Re1 Nc7

Bird's Opening [A02] - Play Through Variations -

MCO-13: "The English master H.E. Bird demonstrated the aggressive potential of this opening in the second half of the 19th century." White's strategy is control of the dark squares.

   1.  f4 d5   2.  Nf3 Nf6

 - 3. e3:
   3.  e3 c5   4.  b3 Nc6   5.  Bb5 Bd7    6.  Bb2 e6   7.  O-O Be7   8.  d3 O-O

 - 3. g3:
   3.  g3 c5   4.  Bg2 Nc6  5.  O-O g6     6.  d3 Bg7   7.  c3 O-O    8.  Qc2 d4

  - From's Gambit:
   1... e5     2.  fxe5 d6  3.  exd6 Bxd6  4.  Nf3 g5   5.  d4 g4     6.  Ng5 f5
   7.  e4 h6   8.  e5 Be7

Bishop's Opening [C23] - Play Through Variations -

This old opening was analyzed by Ruy Lopez and Lucena but Philidor is credited for developing it into a system. Bc4 is an opening trick in an attempt to play Qh5 and Qxf7#. 2... Nf6 is Black's most aggressive reaction. 2... Bc5 is an ancient but playable response.

   1.  e4 e5     2.  Bc4

 - 2... Nf6:
   2... Nf6      3.  d3 c6      4.  Nf3 d5     5.  Bb3 Bd6   6.  Nc3 dxe4
   7.  dxe4 Na6  8.  Be3 Qe7    9.  Nd2 Bc5   10.  Qe2 Bxe3 =

 - 2... Bc5:
   2... Bc5      3.  c3 Nf6     4.  d4 exd4    5.  e5 d5     6.  exf6 dxc4
   7.  Qh5 O-O   8.  Qxc5 Re8+  9.  Ne2 d3    10.  Be3 dxe2 11.  Nd2 Na6

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit [A45] - Play Through Variations -

White sacs the e pawn to open the game and begin tactical play. While the gambit is dangerous against an unwary opponent, the sac is questionable.

   1.  d4 d5      2.  e4 dxe4   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  f3 exf3

 - 5. Nxf3:
   5.  Nxf3 Bg4   6.  h3 Bxf3   7.  Qxf3 c6    8.  Be3 e6
   OR
   5.  Nxf3 Bf5   6.  Ne5 e6    7.  g4 Bg6     8.  Qf3 c6

 - 5. Qxf3:
   5.  Qxf3 g6    6.  Be3 c6    7.  Bc4 Bg7    8.  Nge2 Nbd7

Blumenfeld Counter Gambit [E10] - Play Through Variations -

Black sacs a wing pawn to gain control of the center.

   1.  d4 Nf6     2.  c4 e6     3.  Nf3 c5   4.  d5 b5

 - Accepted:
   5.  dxe6 fxe6  6.  cxb5 d5   7.  e3 Bd6   8.  Nc3 Bb7   9.  Be2 O-O

 - Declined:
   5.  Bg5 h6     6.  Bxf6 Qxf6 7.  Nc3 b4   8.  Nb5 Kd8!? 9.  e4 g5
   OR
   5.  Bg5 exd5   6.  cxd5 Qa5+ 7.  Nc3 Ne4  8.  Bd2 Nxd2  9.  Nxd2 b4

Bogo-Indian Defense [E11] - Play Through Variations -

A hypermodern opening named after Yefim Bogolyubov, a world title contender of the 1930s. Black deploys its pieces first to give flexibility in placing its pawns.

   1.  d4 Nf6   2.  c4 e6     3.  Nf3 Bb4+

 - 4. Bd2:
   4.  Bd2 Qe7  5.  g3 Nc6    6.  Bg2 Bxd2+  7.  Nbxd2 d6  8.  e4 e5
   9.  d5 Nb8  10.  O-O O-O  11.  b4 a5     12.  a3 Na6   13.  Qb3 Bg4

 - 4. Nbd2:
   4.  Nbd2 b6  5.  a3 Bxd2+  6.  Bxd2 Bb7   7.  Bg5 d6    8.  e3 Nbd7
   9.  Bd3 h6  10.  Bh4 g5   11.  Bg3 Qe7   12.  Qc2 h5   13.  h3 h4

Budapest Defense [A52] - Play Through Variations -

This opening made its tournament debut in Esser-Breyer, Budapest in 1916. GMs tend to find the defensive possibilities too limiting. Black gets an easy game if White declines the Budapest gambit.

   1.  d4 Nf6     2.  c4 e5

 - 3. dxe5 Ng4:
   3.  dxe5 Ng4   4.  Bf4 Nc6    5.  Nf3 Bb4+   6.  Nc3 Bxc3+   7.  bxc3 Qe7
   8.  Qd5 f6?!   9.  exf6 Nxf6 10.  Qd3 d6    11.  g3 O-O     12.  Bg2 Ne4

 - 3. dxe5 Ne4:
   3.  dxe5 Ne4   4.  Qc2 Bb4+   5.  Nc3 d5     6.  exd6 Bf5    7.  Bd2 Nxd6
   8.  e4 Bxc3    9.  Bxc3 Bxe4 10.  Qd2 O-O    11.  O-O-O Nd7 12.  f3 Bg6

 - 3. d5:
   3.  d5 Bc5     4.  Nc3 d6

Caro-Kann Defense [B10] - Play Through Variations -

Originally mentioned by Polerio in 1590, the Defense was rarely played until H. Caro of Berlin and M. Kann of Vienna seriously analyzed it in the 1890s. Capablanca frequently played it to avoid book lines. It can be highly successful against aggressive opponents but the CK lacks attacking possibilities. Patience and endgame skill are usually needed by Black to win.

   1.  e4 c6

 - Advance Variation [B12]:
   2.  d4 d5       3.  e5 Bf5      4.  Nc3 e6      5.  g4 Bg6     6.  Nge2 c5
   7.  h4 h6       8.  Be3 Qb6     9.  Qd2 Nc6    10.  O-O-O h5  11.  dxc5 Bxc5

 - Exchange Variation [B13]:
   2.  d4 d5       3.  exd5 cxd5   4.  Bd3 Nc6     5.  c3 Nf6     6.  Bf4 Bg4
   7.  Qb3 Qd7     8.  Nd2 e6      9.  Ngf3 Bxf3  10.  Nxf3 Bd6

 - Fianchetto System:
   2.  d4 d5       3.  Nc3 g6      4.  e5 Bg7      5.  f4 h5      6.  Be3 Nh6
   7.  Nf3 Bg4     8.  Be2 Nd7     9.  Qd2 e6     10.  g3 Bf8

 - King's Indian Attack Variation:
   2.  d4 d5       3.  Nd2 e5      4.  Ngf3 Bd6    5.  g3 Nf6     6.  Bg2 O-O
   7.  O-O Re8     8.  Re1 Nbd7    9.  c3 dxe4    10.  Nxe4 Qc2 

 - Main Line (Classical Variation) [B18]:
   2.  d4 d5       3.  Nc3 dxe4    4.  Nxe4 Bf5    5.  Ng3 Bg6    6.  h4 h6
   7.  Nf3 Nd7     8.  h5 Bh7      9.  Bd3 Bxd3   10.  Qxd3 Qc7 (or e6)

 - Main Line (4... Nf6 Nxf6+ gxf6) [B16]:
   2.  d4 d5       3.  Nc3 dxe4    4.  Nxe4 Nf6    5.  Nxf6+ gxf6 6.  c3 Bf5
   7.  Nf3 Qc7     8.  g3 Nd7      9.  Bg2 e6     10.  O-O O-O-O 11.  Re1! Bg4

 - Main Line (4... Nf6 Nxf6+ exf6) [B15]:
   2.  d4 d5       3.  Nc3 dxe4    4.  Nxe4 Nf6    5.  Nxf6+ exf6 6.  c3 Bd6
   7.  Bd3 O-O     8.  Qc2 Re8     9.  Ne2 g6     10.  h4 f5     11.  h5 Qf6

 - Main Line (4... Nd7):
   2.  d4 d5       3.  Nc3 dxe4    4.  Nxe4 Nd7    5.  Bc4 Ngf6   6.  Ng5 e6
   7.  Qe2 Nb6     8.  Bd3 h6      9.  N5f3 c5    10.  dxc5 Bxc5 11.  Ne5 Nbd7

 - Panov-Botvinnik Attack (5... e6) [B13]:
   2.  d4 d5       3.  exd5 cxd5   4.  c4 Nf6      5.  Nc3 e6     6.  Nf3 Be7
   7.  c5 O-O      8.  Bd3 b6      9.  b4 a5      10.  Na4 Nfd7! 11.  b5 bxc5
  12.  dxc5 e5    13.  c6 e4      14.  cxd7 Nxd7  15.  O-O exf3  16.  Qxf3 Ne5

 - Panov-Botvinnik Attack (5... Nc6):
   2.  d4 d5       3.  exd5 cxd5   4.  c4 Nf6      5.  Nc3 Nc6     6.  Bg5 Qa5
   7.  Bd2 dxc4    8.  Bxc4 e6     9.  Nf3 Qd8    10.  Be3 Be7    11.  O-O O-O

 - Panov-Botvinnik Attack (5... g6):
   2.  d4 d5       3.  exd5 cxd5   4.  c4 Nf6      5.  Nc3 g6     6.  cxd5 Nxd5
   7.  Qb3! Nxc3   8.  Bc4! e6     9.  bxc3 Nc6   10.  Nf3 Bg7   11.  Ba3 Bf8

 - Two Knights' Variation (3... Bg4):
   2.  Nc3 d5      3.  Nf3 Bg4     4.  h3 Bxf3     5.  Qxf3 Nf6   6.  d3 e6
   7.  g3 Bb4      8.  Bd2 d4      9.  Nb1 Qb6    10.  b3 a5     11.  a3 Bxd2

 - Two Knights' Variation (3... Nf6):
   2.  Nc3 d5      3.  Nf3 Nf6     4.  e5 Ne4      5.  Ne2 Bg4    6.  Nfg1 Bxe2
   7.  Bxe2 e6     8.  d3 Nc5      9.  Nf3 Ncd7   10.  O-O c5

Catalan Opening [E00] - Play Through Variations -

The Catalan first appeared in a tournament in Barcelona, Spain in 1929. Its name was given by Tartakower in honor of Catalonia, the province of which Barcelona is the capital. White's fianchettoed bishop inhibits Black's queenside development and prevents the Queen's Indian. The open variation is the most popular.

   1.  d4 Nf6      2.  c4 e6       3.  g3 d5       4.  Bg2

 - Open Variation (Classical):
   4... dxc4       5.  Nf3 Be7     6.  O-O O-O     7.  Qc2 a6       8.  Qxc4 b5     9.  Qc2 Bb7
  10.  Bf4 Nc6    11.  Rd1 Nb4    12.  Qc1 Qc8    13.  Bg5 c5      14.  Bxf6 gxf6  15.  a3 Nd5
  OR
  10.  Bd2 Be4    11.  Qc1 Nc6    12.  Be3 Nb4    13.  Nbd2 Bb7    14.  Bg5 Rc8    15.  a3 Nbd5
  OR
  10.  Bg5 Nbd7   11.  Bxf6 Nxf6  12.  Nbd2 Rc8   13.  Nb3 c5      14.  dxc5 Bd5   15.  Rfd1 Bxb3

 - Open Variation (8. a4):
   4... dxc4       5.  Nf3 Be7     6.  O-O O-O     7.  Qc2 a6       8.  a4 Nbd7     9.  Nbd2 c5
  10.  dxc5 Nxc5  11.  Ne5 c3     12.  Qxc3 Nd5   13.  Qc2 Qc7     14.  Ndf3 f6    15.  Nd3 Nxd3

 - Closed Variation (8. Nbd2) [E01]:
   4... Be7        5.  Nf3 O-O     6.  O-O Nbd7    7.  Qc2 c6       8.  Nbd2 b6     9.  e4 Bb7
  10.  b3 Rc8     11.  Bb2 c5     12.  exd5 exd5  13.  dxc5 dxc4   14.  Nxc4 b5    15.  Nce5 Rxc5

 - Closed Variation (8. b3) [E01]:
   4... Be7        5.  Nf3 O-O     6.  O-O Nbd7    7.  Qc2 c6       8.  b3 b5       9.  Nbd2 bxc4
  10.  bxc4 Ba6   11.  Bb2 Rb8    12.  Rab1 Qa5   13.  Bc3 Bb4     14.  Rxb4 Rxb4  15.  Rc1 Qa4

Center-Counter (Scandinavian) Defense [B01] - Play Through Variations -

This Defense allows Black to choose a Defense more familiar to him than to White. This may prevent White from transposing to a number of attacking variations.

   1.  e4 d5       2.  exd5

 - 2... Qxd5:
   2... Qxd5       3.  Nc3 Qa5     4.  d4 Nf6     5.  Bc4 c6    6.  Bd2 Bf5
   7.  Nd5 Qd8     8.  Nxf6+ gxf6  9.  Bf4 Qb6   10.  Bb3 a5   11.  a4 Rg8
   OR
   2... Qxd5       3.  Nc3 Qa5     4.  d4 Nf6     5.  Nf3 Bg4   6.  h3 Bh5
   7.  Bd2 e6      8.  Bc4 Bb4     9.  g4 Bg6    10.  Ne5 Nc6! 11.  Nxc6 bxc6

 - 2... Nf6:
   2... Nf6        3.  d4 Nxd5     4.  c4 Nb6     5.  Nf3 g6    6.  h3 Bg7
   7.  Nc3 O-O     8.  Be3 Nc6     9.  Qd2 e5    10.  d5 Na5!  11.  b3 f5

Chigorin's Defense (QGD) [D07] - Play Through Variations -

This Defense blocks the c pawn and often trades a bishop for a knight but allows Black to develop quickly which may bring him attacking chances against inferior play.

   1.  d4 d5     2.  c4 Nc6

 - 3. Nf3:
   3.  Nf3 Bg4   4.  cxd5 Bxf3   5.  gxf3 Qxd5   6.  e3 e6    7.  Nc3 Qh5
   8.  f4 Qxd1+  9.  Kxd1 O-O-O 10.  Bd2 Nf6    11.  Bb5 Ne7 12.  Ke2 Nf5

 - 3. Nc3:
   3.  Nc3 dxc4  4.  Nf3 Nf6     5.  e4 Bg4      6.  Be3 Bxf3 7.  gxf3 e5
   8.  d5 Ne7    9.  Qa4+ Nd7   10.  d6! cxd6   11.  Bxc4 d5 12.  Nxd5 Nc6

Colle System [D05] - Play Through Variations -

Zukertort originated this system over a centry ago. It was forged by Edgar Colle in the 1930s and further developed by Koltanowski. White holds back its queen's bishop for the moment, hoping to make a breakthrough in the center.

   1.  d4

 - 1... d5:
   1... d5      2.  e3 Nf6    3.  Nf3 e6    4.  Bd3 c5      5.  b3 Nbd7
   6.  Bb2 b6   7.  O-O Bb7   8.  Nbd2 Be7  9.  Ne5 O-O    10.  Qf3 Rc8

 - 1... Nf6:
   1... Nf6     2.  Nf3 e6    3.  e3 c5     4.  Bd3 b6      5.  O-O Bb7
   6.  b3 Nc6   7.  Bb2 Be7   8.  Nbd2 cxd4 9.  exd4 O-O   10.  a3 Rc8

Crab Opening [A00] - Play Through Variations -

   1.  a4 e5    2.  h4

Czech Benoni [A56] - Play Through Variations -

A more solid opening than the standard Benoni but Black lacks active chances.

   1.  d4 Nf6    2.  c4 c5     3.  d5 e5    4.  Nc3 d6   5.  e4 Be7

 -Main Line:
   6.  Nf3 O-O   7.  h3 Nbd7   8.  g4 a6    9.  a4 Rb8
  10.  Bd3 Ne8  11.  Rg1 Nc7  12.  b3 Re8

 - 6. g3:
   6.  g3 O-O    7.  Bg2 Ne8   8.  Nge2 Nd7 9.  O-O a6
  10.  a4 Rb8   11.  Be3 b6   12.  Nc1 Nc7

Danish Gambit [C21] - Play Through Variations -

A straightforward gambit first analyzed by the Danes O. Krause and M. From. The gambit gives White quick development and raking bishops. However, safe ways to decline the gambit has meant rare appearances in serious competition.

   1.  e4 e5     2.  d4 exd4    3.  c3

 - Accepted:
   3... dxc3     4.  Bc4 cxb2   5.  Bxb2 d5    6.  Bxd5 Bb4+  7.  Nc3 Bxc3+
   8.  Bxc3 Nf6  9.  Qf3 Nxd5  10.  exd5 O-O  11.  Ne2 Re8

 - Declined:
   3... d5       4.  exd5 Qxd5  5.  cxd4 Nf6   6.  Nf3 Bb4+   7.  Nc3 O-O
   8.  Be2 Ne4   9.  Bd2 Bxc3  10.  bxc3 Nxd2 11.  Qxd2 Bg4 =

Döry Defense [A46] - Play Through Variations -

   1.  d4 Nf6    2.  c4 e6     3.  Nf3 Ne4!?    4.  e3 b6
   5.  Bd3 Bb4+  6.  Nbd2 Bb7  7.  a3

Dutch Defense [A80] - Play Through Variations -

Dutchman Elias Stein first analyzed this Defense in 1789. It was infrequently played until the 1920s and 30s when Alekhine and Botvinnik used it successfully. Since then however, it has not been used on a regular basis at master level. The chief reason for this is that many GMs consider the resulting kingside weakness from f5 a questionable strategy. The Leningrad variation may be Black's best line.

   1.  d4 f5

 - Classical variation (3... e6):
   2.  g3 Nf6      3.  Bg2 e6    4.  c4 Be7      5.  Nf3 O-O   6.  O-O d6
   7.  Nc3 Qe8     8.  Qc2 Qh5   9.  Bg5 Nc6    10.  Rad1 e5  11.  dxe5 Nxe5

 - Leningrad variation (5  Nf3):
   2.  c4 Nf6      3.  g3 g6     4.  Bg2 Bg7     5.  Nf3 O-O   6.  O-O d6
   7.  Nc3 Nc6     8.  d5 Ne5    9.  Nxe5 dxe5  10.  Qb3 h6   11.  Be3 Kh8

 - Staunton Gambit:
   2.  e4 fxe4     3.  Nc3 Nf6   4.  Bg5 Nc6     5.  d5 Ne5    6.  Qd4 Nf7
   7.  Bxf6 exf6   8.  Nxe4 Be7  9.  O-O-O O-O  10.   Nf3 d6  11.  Kb1 c5 =

 - Stonewall variation (4... d5):
   2.  c4 Nf6      3.  g3 e6     4.  Bg2 d5      5.  Nf3 c6    6.  O-O Bd6
   7.  Nc3 Nbd7    8.  Qc2 O-O   9.  cxd5 cxd5  10.  Nb5 Be8  11.  Bf4 Bxf4

English Opening [A10] - Play Through Variations -

This opening derives its name from Englishman Howard Staunton, who played it against St. Amant in their 1843 match and in the 1851 London tournament. Morphy's dislike of it though discouraged its appearance for over 100 years. However, with its use by Botvinnik, Fischer, Karpov and Kasparov, it has regained popularity. Vigorous struggle for center control and fluid pawn formations typically result in the English.

   1.  c4

 - Closed Variation (5. e3):
   1... e5         2.  Nc3 Nc6    3.  g3 g6      4.  Bg2 Bg7      5.  e3 d6
   6.  Nge2 Nge7   7.  Rb1 a5     8.  d3 Be6     9.  Nd5 Qd7     10.  a3 O-O

 - Four Knights Variation (4. g3 Bb4):
   1... e5         2.  Nc3 Nc6    3.  Nf3 Nf6    4.  g3 Bb4       5.  Bg2 O-O
   6.  O-O e4      7.  Ng5 Bxc3   8.  bxc3 Re8   9.  d3 exd3     10.  exd3 d6

 - Four Knights Variation (4. g3 Bc5):
   1... e5         2.  Nc3 Nc6    3.  Nf3 Nf6    4.  g3 Bc5       5.  Bg2 d6
   6.  O-O O-O     7.  e3 Re8     8.  d4 Bb6     9.  h3 h6       10.  a3 a5

 - Hedgehog Defense (5. e4):
   1... c5         2.  Nf3 Nf6    3.  Nc3 e6     4.  g3 b6        5.  e4 Bb7
   6.  d3 d6       7.  Bg2 Be7    8.  O-O O-O    9.  Re1 Nc6     10.  b3 a6

 - King's Indian English (5  Nf3):
   1... Nf6        2.  Nc3 g6     3.  g3 Bg7     4.  Bg2 O-O      5.  Nf3 d6
   6.  O-O Nc6     7.  d3 Nh5     8.  d4 e5      9.  d5 Ne7      10.  e4 f5

 - Nimzo-Indian English (4. Qc2):
   1... Nf6        2.  Nc3 e6     3.  Nf3 Bb4    4.  Qc2 O-O      5.  a3 Bxc3
   6.  Qxc3 b6     7.  b4 Bb7     8.  Bb2 a5     9.  e3 Qe7      10.  Be2 axb4

 - Queen's Indian English (5. Qe2):
   1... Nf6        2.  Nc3 e6     3.  Nf3 b6     4.  e4 Bb7       5.  Qe2 Bb4
   6.  e5 Ng8      7.  g3 Nc6     8.  Bg2 Nd4    9.  Qd3 Bxf3    10.  Bxf3 Nxf3+

 - Symmetrical Four Knights Variation (4. d4):
   1... c5         2.  Nf3 Nf6    3.  Nc3 Nc6    4.  d4 cxd4      5.  Nxd4 e6
   6.  Ndb5 d5     7.  Bf4 e5     8.  cxd5 exf4  9.  dxc6 bxc6   10.  Qxd8+ Kxd8

 - Ultra-Symmetrical Variation (5. Nf3):
   1... c5         2.  Nc3 Nc6    3.  g3 g6      4.  Bg2 Bg7      5.  Nf3 e5
   6.  O-O d6      7.  a3 Nge7    8.  Rb1 a5     9.  d3 O-O      10.  Bg5 f6

Four Knights Game [C46]

Modern masters consider this a dull and lifeless opening due to its lack of threats. Black can use it as a drawing weapon.

   1.  e4 e5       2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  Nc3 Nf6

 - Belgrade Gambit (5... Nxe4):
   4.  d4  exd4    5.  Nd5 Nxe4   6.  Qe2 f5     7.  Ng5 d3     8.  cxd3 Nd4
   9.  Qh5+ g6    10.  Qh4 c6    11.  dxe4 cxd5 12.  exd5 Qa5+ 13.  Kd1 Qxd5

 - Leipzig Gambit:
   4.  Nxe5 Nxe5   5.  d4 Ng6     6.  e5 Ng8     7.  Bc4 d6     8.  Qf3 Qd7
   9.  O-O dxe5   10.  dxe5 Nxe5 11.  Re1 Bd6   12.  Bf4 f6    13.  Bb5 c6

 - Symmetrical Variation (7. Bg5):
   4.  Bb5 Bb4     5.  O-O O-O    6.  d3 d6      7.  Bg5 Bxc3   8.  bxc3 Qe7
   9.  Re1 Nd8    10.  d4 Bg4?!  11.  h3 Bh5    12.  g4 Bg6    13.  d5 c6

French Defense [C00] - Play Through Variations -

This Defense was analyzed in the 15th century by Italian Lucena, but was named after Parisian players who adopted it in an 1834 correspondence game against London. The a2-g8 diagonal is blocked by Black, intending to occupy the light central squares, concerning himself with the dark squares later. The blocked queen's bishop is Black's biggest problem.

   1.  e4 e6     2.  d4 d5

 - Advance variation (4. c3) [C02]:
   3.  e5 c5     4.  c3 Nc6      5.  Nf3 Qb6    6.  Be2 cxd4   7.  cxd4 Nh6
   8.  Nc3 Nf5   9.  Na4 Bb4+   10.  Bd2 Qa5   11.  Bc3 b5    12.  a3 Bxc3+

 - Classical variation (7. Qd2) [C13]:
   3.  Nc3 Nf6   4.  Bg5 Be7     5.  e5 Nfd7    6.  Bxe7 Qxe7  7.  Qd2 O-O
   8.  Nce2 c5   9.  c3 f6      10.  f4 cxd4   11.  cxd4 fxe5 12.  fxe5 Nc6

 - Exchange variation (4. Bd3):
   3.  exd5 exd5 4.  Bd3 Bd6     5.  c3 Nc6     6.  Nf3 Nge7   7.  O-O Bg4
   8.  h3 Bh5    9.  Re1 Qd7    10.  a4 O-O-O  11.  a5 f6     12.  b4 Rde8

 - MacCutcheon variation (6. Be3) [C12]:
   3.  Nc3 Nf6   4.  Bg5 Bb4     5.  e5 h6      6.  Be3 Ne4    7.  Qg4 g6!
   8.  a3! Bxc3+ 9.  bxc3 Nxc3! 10.  Bd3 Nc6   11.  h4 Qe7    12.  h5 g5

 - Rubinstein variation (5. Nf3) [C10]:
   3.  Nc3 dxe4  4.  Nxe4 Nd7    5.  Nf3 Ngf6   6.  Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.  Bd3 c5
   8.  dxc5 Bxc5 9.  Bg5 Be7    10.  Qe2 O-O   11.  O-O-O Qa5 12.  Kb1 Qb6

 - Steinitz variation (4... Nfd7) [C11]:
   3.  Nc3 Nf6   4.  e5 Nfd7     5.  f4 c5      6.  Nf3 Nc6    7.  Be3 cxd4
   8.  Nxd4 Bc5  9.  Qd2 O-O    10.  O-O-O Qe7 11.  Bb5 Nxd4  12.  Bxd4 a6

 - Tarrasch / Closed / Main Line variation [C06]:
   3.  Nd2 Nf6   4.  e5 Nfd7     5.  Bd3 c5     6.  c3 Nc6     7.  Ne2 cxd4

 - Tarrasch / Guimard Defense (4. c3):
   3.  Nd2 Nc6   4.  c3 Nf6      5.  e5 Nd7     6.  Bd3 f5     7.  g4 Ndxe5
   8.  dxe5 Nxe5 9.  Be2 fxg4   10.  Nf1 Qf6   11.  Ne3 Bc5   12.  Bxg4

 - Winawer / Poisoned Pawn variation:
   3.  Nc3 Bb4   4.  e5 c5       5.  a3 Bxc3+   6.  bxc3 Ne7   7.  Qg4 Qc7
   8.  Qxg7 Rg8  9.  Qxh7 cxd4  10.  Ne2 Nbc6  11.  f4   dxc3 12.  Qd3 Bd7

Giuoco Piano [C50] - Play Through Variations -

Also known as the "Italian Opening" or "Quiet Game". Some use it to advance in the center and start a quick attack while others use it in an attempt to outmanoeuvre their opponent in a positional (quiet) game. The opening was mentioned in the Göttingen manuscript of 1490.

   1.  e4 e5     2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  Bc4 Bc5

  - Canal Variation:
   4.  d3 Nf6    5.  Nc3 d6     6.  Bg5 h6     7.  Bxf6 Qxf6
   8.  Nd5 Qd8   9.  c3 Ne7    10.  d4 Nxd5   11.  dxc5 Nf4

  - Evans Gambit Accepted:
   4.  b4 Bxb4   5.  c3 Ba5     6.  O-O d6     7.  d4 Bb6
   8.  dxe5 dxe5 9.  Qb3 Qf6   10.  Bg5 Qg6   11.  Bd5 Nge7

  - Evans Gambit Declined:
   4.  b4 Bb6    5.  a4 a6      6.  Bb2 d6     7.  b5 axb5
   8.  axb5 Rxa1 9.  Bxa1 Nd4  10.  Nxd4 exd4 11.  c3 Nf6

  - Main Line:
   4.  c3 Nf6    5.  d4 exd4    6.  cxd4 Bb4+  7.  Bd2 Bxd2
   8.  Nbxd2 d5  9.  exd5 Nxd5 10.  Qb3 Na5   11.  Qa4 Nc6

  - Moller Attack:
   4.  c3 Nf6    5.  d4 exd4    6.  cxd4 Bb4+  7.  Nc3 Nxe4
   8.  O-O Bxc3  9.  d5 Bf6    10.  Re1 Ne7   11.  Rxe4 d6
  12.  Bg5 Bxg5 13.  Nxg5 h6   14.  Qe2 hxg5

  - Pianissimo:
   4.  c3 Nf6    5.  b4 Bb6     6.  d3 d6      7.  a4 a5
   8.  b5 Ne7    9.  Nbd2 Ng6  10.  O-O O-O   11.  Bb3 c6

Grob's Attack [A00] - Play Through Variations -

This unusual flank opening owes it reputation to Henri Grob in his countless postal games with readers of his Swiss newspaper column. The force of the attack is still unproven but Britain's Basman and Greece's Skembris have given it some respectability.

   1.  g4

 - 2. Bg2:
   1... d5   2.  Bg2 c6     3.  h3 h5   4.  g5 h4   5.  e4 dxe4   6.  Nc3 Qa5

 - 2. h3:
   1... d5   2.  h3 e5      3.  Bg2 c6  4.  d4 e4   5.  c4 Bd6    6.  Nc3 Ne7

 - Fritz Gambit:
   1... d5   2.  Bg2 Bxg4   3.  c4

 - Romford Counter Gambit:
   1... d5   2.  Bg2 Bxg4   3.  c4 d4

 - Spike Attack:
   1... d5   2.  Bg2 c6     3.  g5

Grünfeld Defense [D80] - Play Through Variations -

Austrian master Ernst Grünfeld invented this Defense in 1922. Black allows White to build a pawn center, and then attacks the central squares rather than occupying them.

   1.  d4 Nf6     2.  c4 g6      3.  Nc3 d5

 - Classical Line / Smyslov Variation (8. Be3):
   4.  Nf3 Bg7    5.  Qb3 dxc4   6.  Qxc4 O-O   7.  e4 Bg4     8.  Be3 Nfd7
   9.  Qb3 Nb6   10.  Rd1 Nc6   11.  d5 Ne5    12.  Be2 Nxf3+ 13.  gxf3 Bh5

 - Classical Line / Prins Variation (8. Be2):
   4.  Nf3 Bg7    5.  Qb3 dxc4   6.  Qxc4 O-O   7.  e4 Na6     8.  Be2 c5
   9.  d5 e6     10.  O-O exd5  11.  exd5 Bf5  12.  Rd1 Re8   13.  d6 h6

 - Exchange Variation (7. Bc4):
   4.  cxd5 Nxd5  5.  e4 Nxc3    6.  bxc3 Bg7   7.  Bc4 O-O    8.  Ne2 c5
   9.  O-O Nc6   10.  Be3 cxd4  11.  cxd4 Bg4  12.  f3 Na5    13.  Bd3 Be6
  14.  d5 Bxa1   15.  Qxa1 f6   16.  Rb1 Bd7   17.  Bh6 Rf7   18.  e5 e6  (fxe6 ?)

 - Exchange Variation (7. Nf3):
   4.  cxd5 Nxd5  5.  e4 Nxc3    6.  bxc3 Bg7   7.  Nf3 c5     8.  Rb1 O-O
   9.  Be2 cxd4  10.  cxd4 Qa5+ 11.  Qd2 Qxd2+ 12.  Bxd2 e6   13.  O-O b6

 - 4. Bf4:
   4.  Bf4 Bg7    5.  e3 c5      6.  dxc5 Qa5   7.  Rc1 Ne4    8.  cxd5 Nxc3
   9.  Qd2 Qxa2  10.  bxc3 Qa5  11.  Bc4 Nd7   12.  Nf3 Nxc5  13.  O-O O-O

Grünfeld Defense - Neo Grünfeld [D70] - Play Through Variations -

Black pushes the e pawn when White goes for the Catalan setup instead of 3 Nc3.

   1.  d4 Nf6    2.  c4 g6      3.  g3 Bg7      4.  Bg2 d5    5.  cxd5 Nxd5
   6.  Nf3 O-O   7.  O-O

 - 7... Nb6:
   7...  Nb6     8.  Nc3 Nc6    9.  e3 e5      10.  d5 Na5   11.  e4 c6
  12.  Bg5 f6   13.  Be3 cxd5  14.  exd5 Nac4  15.  Bc5 Rf7  16.  Nd2 Bf8

 - 7... c5:
   7...  c5      8.  dxc5 Na6   9.  Ng5 Ndb4   10.  Nc3 Qxd1 11.  Rxd1 Nxc5
  12.  Be3 Ne6  13.  Rac1 Nc6  14.  Nxe6 Bxe6  15.  b3 Rad8  16.  Nd5 Bb2

King's Fianchetto Defense - Play Through Variations -

   1.  d4 g6     2.  Nf3 Bg7     3.  g3 c5    4.  c3 Qb6
   5.  Qb3 Nf6   6.  Qxb6 axb6   7.  Na3 d6   8.  Bg2 Nc6

King's Gambit [C30] - Play Through Variations -

White attempts to dominate the center, develop quickly and prepare to attack f7 but its king safety presents problems of its own.

   1.  e4 e5      2.  f4

 - Accepted / 3... d5:
   2... exf4      3.  Nf3 d5     4.  exd5 Nf6  5.  Nc3 Nxd5   6.  Nxd5 Qxd5
   7.  d4 Be7     8.  c4 Qe4+    9.  Kf2 Bf5  10.  Be2 Nc6 =

 - Accepted / Cunningham variation:
   2... exf4      3.  Nf3 Be7    4.  Bc4 Nf6   5.  e5 Ng4     6.  Nc3 d6
   7.  d4 dxe5    8.  dxe5 Qxd1+ 9.  Nxd1 Be6 10.  Bxe6 fxe6 11.  h3 Nh6

 - Accepted / Hanstein Gambit:
   2... exf4      3.  Nf3 g5     4.  Bc4 Bg7   5.  d4 h6      6.  O-O d6
   7.  g3 Nc6     8.  c3 g4      9.  Nh4 f3   10.  Nd2 Nf6   11.  Nf5 Bxf5

 - Accepted / Kieseritzky Gambit:
   2... exf4      3.  Nf3 g5     4.  h4 g4     5.  Ne5 Nf6    6.  d4 d6
   7.  Nd3 Nxe4   8.  Bxf4 Qe7   9.  Qe2 Bg7  10.  c3 Bf5    11.  Nd2 Nxd2

 - Accepted / Muzio Gambit:
   2... exf4      3.  Nf3 g5     4.  Bc4 g4    5.  O-O gxf3   6.  Qxf3 Qf6
   7.  e5 Qxe5    8.  d3 Bh6     9.  Nc3 Ne7  10.  Bd2 Nbc6  11.  Rae1 Qf5

 - Accepted / Philidor Gambit:
   2... exf4      3.  Nf3 g5     4.  Bc4 Bg7   5.  h4 h6      6.  d4 d6
   7.  hxg5 hxg5  8.  Rxh8 Bxh8  9.  Nc3 c6   10.  g3 g4     11.  Bxf4 gxf3

 - Declined (2... Bc5):
   2... Bc5       3.  Nf3 d6     4.  Nc3 Nf6   5.  Bc4 Nc6    6.  d3 Bg4
   7.  Na4 Bb6    8.  Nxb6 axb6  9.  c3 O-O

 - Falkbeer Counter Gambit (3... c6):
   2... d5        3.  exd5 c6    4.  Nc3 exf4  5.  Nf3 Nf6    6.  d4 Bd6
   7.  Qe2+ Qe7   8.  Qxe7+ Kxe7 9.  Ne5 Nxd5 10.  Nxd5+ cxd5

King's Indian Attack (Reti) [A05] - Play Through Variations -

   1.  Nf3 d5   2.  g3 c5      3.  Bg2 Nc6   4.  O-O e5     5.  d3 Be7
   6.  e4 d4    7.  Nbd2 Nf6   8.  Nc4 Nd7   9.  a4 O-O

 - Lisitsin Gambit:
   1.  Nf3 f5   2.  e4 d6      3.  Nc3 fxe4  4.  Ng5 Nf6    5.  d3 exd3
   6.  Bxd3 e5  7.  Nxh7 Be6

King's Indian Defense [E60] - Play Through Variations -

The KID is a hypermodern Defense known for its fighting nature. Black gives white the center but begins to attack it after mobilizing its pieces. However, failure to counter white's pawn center effectively may lead to lack of space for black. Black can use c5 or e5 to start a pawn break.

   1.  d4 Nf6    2.  c4 g6       3.  Nc3 Bg7

 - Averbakh Variaton (6... c5):
   3.  Nc3 Bg7   4.  e4 d6       5.  Be2 O-O    6.  Bg5 c5     7.  d5 h6
   8.  Bf4 e5    9.  dxe6 Bxe6  10.  Bxd6 Re8  11.  Nf3 Qb6   12.  Bxb8! Raxb8

 - Classical Variation (8... d5):
   3.  Nc3 Bg7   4.  e4 d6       5.  Nf3 O-O    6.  Be2 e5     7.  O-O Nc6
   8.  d5 Ne7    9.  Ne1 Nd7    10.  Nd3 f5    11.  Bd2 Nf6   12.  f3 f4
  13.  c5 g5    14.  Rc1 Ng6    15.  cxd6 cxd6 16.  Nb5 Rf7   17.  Qc2 Ne8

 - Classical Variation (8... Be3):
   3.  Nc3 Bg7   4.  e4 d6       5.  Nf3 O-O    6.  Be2 e5     7.  O-O Nc6
   8.  Be3 Ng4   9.  Bg5 f6     10.  Bh4 Kh8   11.  dxe5 dxe5 12.  c5 Be6

 - Fianchetto System / Classical Variation (8 e4):
   3.  g3 Bg7    4.  Bg2 O-O     5.  Nc3 d6     6.  Nf3 Nbd7   7.  O-O e5
   8.  e4 c6     9.  h3 Qb6     10.  Re1 Re8   11.  d5 Nc5    12.  Rb1 a5

 - Fianchetto System (7 O-O):
   3.  g3 Bg7    4.  Bg2 O-O     5.  Nc3 d6     6.  Nf3 Nc6    7.  O-O a6
   8.  d5 Na5    9.  Nd2 c5     10.  Qc2 Rb8   11.  b3 b5     12.  Bb2 bxc4

 - Four Pawns Attack (6... c5):
   3.  Nc3 Bg7   4.  e4 d6       5.  f4 O-O     6.  Nf3 c5     7.  d5 e6
   8.  Be2 exd5  9.  exd5 Re8   10.  O-O Bf5   11.  Bd3 Qd7   12.  h3 Na6

 - Samisch Attack / Orthodox Variation:
   3.  Nc3 Bg7   4.  e4 d6       5.  f3 O-O     6.  Be3 e5     7.  d5 c6
   8.  Bd3 cxd5  9.  cxd5 Na6   10.  Nge2 Nc5  11.  Bc2 a5    12.  O-O Bd7

 - Samisch Attack / Panno Variation:
   3.  Nc3 Bg7   4.  e4 d6       5.  f3 O-O     6.  Be3 Nc6    7.  Nge2 a6
   8.  Qd2 Rb8   9.  h4 h5      10.  O-O-O b5  11.  Bh6 e5!   12.  Bxg7 Kxg7

 - Six Pawns Attack:
   3.  Nc3 Bg7   4.  e4 d6       5.  f4 O-O     6.  Be2 c5     7.  d5 e6
   8.  dxe6 fxe6 9.  g4 Nc6     10.  h4

Larsen's Opening [A01] - Play Through Variations -

This opening was used in the 19th century by Rev. Owen, Nimzowitsch in the 1920s and by Larsen and Ljubojevic in modern times.

   1.  b3

 - 1... e5:
   1... e5         2.  Bb2 Nc6   3.  c4 Nf6     4.  e3 Be7
   5.  a3 O-O      6.  Qc2 d5    7.  cxd5 Nxd5  8.  Nf3 Bf6

 - 1... Nf6:
   1... Nf6        2.  Bb2 g6    3.  e4 d6      4.  g3 Bg7
   5.  Bg2 O-O     6.  Ne2 e5    7.  O-O c5     8.  d3 Nc6

 - 1... b6:
   1... b6         2.  Bb2 Bb7   3.  f4 e6      4.  e3 Nf6
   5.  Nf3 c5      6.  Bd3!? Nc6 7.  O-O Qc7    8.  Nc3 a6

Latvian Gambit [C40] - Play Through Variations -

Black's version of the King's Gambit, it originated with Greco more than 3 centuries ago. Originally known as the Greco Counter Gambit, its current name was derived from the Latvians who analyzed it this century.

   1.  e4 e5       2.  Nf3 f5

 - 3. exf5:
   3.  exf5 e4     4.  Ne5 Nf6    5.  Be2 d6    6.  Bh5+ Ke7   7.  Nf7 Qe8
   8.  Nxh8 Qxh5   9.  Qxh5 Nxh5 10.  g4 Nf6   11.  Rg1 Nc6   12.  Rg3 Nd4

 - 3. d4:
   3.  d4 fxe4     4.  Nxe5 Nf6   5.  Bg5 d6    6.  Nc3 dxe5   7.  dxe5 Qxd1+
   8.  Rxd1 h6!    9.  Bxf6 gxf6 10.  Nd5 Kd7   11.  Nb6+ Kc6

 - Behting Variation:
   3.  Bc4 fxe4    4.  Nxe5 Qg5   5.  Nf7 Qxg2  6.  Rf1 d5     7.  Nxh8 Nf6

 - Fraser Defense:
   3.  Nxe5 Nc6    4.  Nxc6 dxc6  5.  Nc3 Qe7   6.  d3 Nf6     7.  Bg5 Bd7
   8.  f3 O-O-O    9.  Be2 h6    10.  Bd2 g5   11.  exf5 Bxf5 12.  O-O Bg7 =

 - Nimzovich Variation:
   3.  Nxe5 Qf6    4.  d4 d6      5.  Nc4 fxe4  6.  Nc3 Qg6    7.  f3 exf3
   8.  Qxf3 Nc6    9.  Bd3 Qg4   10.  Qf2 Qxd4 11.  Be3 Qf6   12.  Qe2 Be6

 - Polerio Variation:
   3.  Bc4 fxe4    4.  Nxe5 d5!   5.  Qh5+ g6   6.  Nxg6 hxg6  7.  Qxg6+ Kd7
   8.  Bxd5 Nf6    9.  Nc3 Qe7   10.  O-O Nxd5 11.  Nxd5 Qe5  12.  Nf6+ Kd8

Modern Benoni [A50] - Play Through Variations -

   1.  d4 Nf6    2.  c4 e6     3.  Nc3 c5    4.  d5 exd5    5.  cxd5

 - Taimonov Variation (8... Nfd7):
   5...  d6      6.  e4 g6     7.  f4 Bg7    8.  Bb5+ Nfd7  9.  a4 O-O

Nimzo-Indian Defense [E20] - Play Through Variations -

Nimzowitsch realized that by pinning the N with the king's B, white's influence on the center squares e4 and d5 was reduced. While black must often surrender the B for the pinned N, rapid development or doubling of white's c pawns provide sufficient compensation. The classical variation leads to safe play. The Sämisch variation is considered white's sharpest response.

   1.  d4 Nf6     2.  c4 e6      3.  Nc3 Bb4

 - Classical Variation (4... d5 5 a3):
   4.  Qc2 d5     5.  a3 Bxc3+   6.  Qxc3 Nc6    7.  Nf3 Ne4   8.  Qb3 Na5
   9.  Qa4+ c6   10.  cxd5 exd5 11.  e3 Bf5     12.  Bd2 Nxd2 13.  Nxd2 O-O

 - Classical Variation (4... d5 5 cxd5):
   4.  Qc2 d5     5.  cxd5 Qxd5  6.  Nf3 c5      7.  Bd2 Bxc3  8.  Bxc3 cxd4
   9.  Rd1! Nc6  10.  Nxd4 O-O  11.  f3 Qxa2    12.  e4 Nxd4  13.  Rxd4 Bd7

 - Classical Variation (4... c5):
   4.  Qc2 c5!    5.  dxc5 O-O   6.  Bg5 Na6     7.  a3 Bxc3+  8.  Qxc3 Nxc5
   9.  Bxf6 Qxf6 10.  Qxf6 gxf6 11.  f3 a5      12.  e4 b6 =

 - Classical Variation (4... O-O):
   4.  Qc2 O-O    5.  a3 Bxc3+   6.  Qxc3 b6     7.  Nf3 Bb7   8.  e3 d6
   9.  b4 Nbd7   10.  Bb2 a5!   11.  Be2 Ne4    12.  Qc2 c5   13.  dxc5 bxc5

 - Leningrad Variation:
   4.  Bg5 h6     5.  Bh4 c5     6.  d5 d6       7.  e3 Bxc3+  8.  bxc3 e5
   9.  Qc2 Nbd7  10.  Bd3 Qe7   11.  f3 Kd8     12.  Ne2 g5   13.  Bg3 Kc7

 - Rubinstein Variation (Main Line):
   4.  e3 O-O     5.  Bd3 d5     6.  Nf3 c5      7.  O-O Nc6   8.  a3 Bxc3
   9.  bxc3 dxc4 10.  Bxc4 Qc7  11.  Ba2 e5     12.  h3 e4    13.  Nh2 Bf5
  14.  Ng4 Nxg4  15.  hxg4 Bg6  16.  a4 Rfd8    17.  Qe2 b6   18. Ba3 Kh8

 - Rubinstein Variation (Fischer Line):
   4.  e3 b6      5.  Bd3 Bb7    6.  Nf3 O-O     7.  O-O c5    8.  Na4 cxd4
   9.  exd4 Be7  10.  Re1 d6    11.  b4 Nbd7    12.  Bb2 a5   13.  b5 d5 =

 - Sämisch Variation (5... c5):
   4.  a3 Bxc3+   5.  bxc3 c5    6.  e3 O-O      7.  Bd3 Nc6   8.  Ne2 b6
   9.  e4 Ne8    10.  O-O Ba6   11.  Qa4 Qc8    12.  Be3 Na5  13.  dxc5 d6!

 - Sämisch Variation (5... d5):
   4.  a3 Bxc3+   5.  bxc3 d5    6.  f3 c5       7.  cxd5 Nxd5 8.  dxc5 f5
   9.  Nh3 O-O   10.  c4 Qh4+   11.  Nf2 Nf6    12.  e3 Nc6   13.  Be2 e5

 - Sämisch Variation (5... O-O):
   4.  a3 Bxc3+   5.  bxc3 O-O    6.  f3 Ne8     7.  e4 b6     8.  Nh3 Ba6
   9.  e5 Nc6    10.  Bg5 f6     11.  exf6 Nxf6 12.  Bd3 e5

Nimzowitsch Defense [B00] - Play Through Variations -

This Defense was first advocated by German master Fischer in the 19th century. Nimzowitch concluded it sound after deep study. The Defense is too cramped for most masters to consider playing.

   1.  e4 Nc6

 - 2.  d4 d5:
   2.  d4 d5     3.  e5 f6    4.  f4 Bf5    5.  Ne2 e6
   6.  Ng3 fxe5  7.  fxe5 Qh4 8.  c3 Nge7   9.  Bb5 O-O-O

 - 2.  Nf3:
   2.  Nf3 d6    3.  d4 Nf6   4.  Nc3 Bg4   5.  d5 Nb8
   6.  Be2 g6    7.  Bg5 Bg7  8.  Qd2 O-O   9.  h3 Bxf3

Old Indian Defense [A41] - Play Through Variations -

Similar to the KID, Black places the king's bishop on e7 instead of g7. While a solid Defense, its passive and white has a number of ways to obtain an edge.

   1.  d4 Nf6    2.  c4 d6

 - 3.  Nc3:
   3.  Nc3 Nbd7  4.  Nf3 e5    5.  e4 Be7   6.  Be2 O-O   7.  O-O c6
   8.  Qc2 Qc7   9.  Rd1 a6   10.  Bg5 h6  11.  Bh4 Re8  12.  Rac1 Nf8

 - 3.  Nf3:
   3.  Nf3 Bg4   4.  Qb3 Qc8   5.  g3 Nbd7  6.  Bg2 c6    7.  h3 Bxf3
   8.  Bxf3 e5   9.  Be3 Be7  10.  Nc3

Petrov's Defense [C42] - Play Through Variations -

Known as the Russian Game in Europe, the Defense is named after the Russian master who practiced it in the 19th century. A solid Defense but has a drawish nature.

   1.  e4 e5     2.  Nf3 Nf6

 - Lasker Variation:
   3.  Nxe5 d6   4.  Nf3 Nxe4    5.  Qe2 Qe7     6.  d3 Nf6       7.  Bg5 Qxe2+
   8.  Bxe2 Be7  9.  Nc3 c6!    10.  O-O-O Na6  11.  Rhe1 Nc7    12.  Bf1 Ne6

 - Main Line (5... d5):
   3.  Nxe5 d6   4.  Nf3 Nxe4    5.  d4 d5       6.  Bd3 Be7      7.  O-O Nc6
   8.  c4 Nb4    9.  Be2 Be6    10.  Nc3 O-O    11.  Be3 f5      12.  a3 Nxc3

 - Main Line (5... Be7):
   3.  Nxe5 d6   4.  Nf3 Nxe4    5.  d4 Be7      6.  Bd3 Nf6      7.  h3 O-O
   8.  O-O Re8   9.  c4 Nc6     10.  Nc3 h6     11.  Re1 Bf8     12.  Rxe8 Qxe8

 - 3. d4!?:
   3.  d4 Nxe4   4.  Bd3 d5      5.  Nxe5 Nd7    6.  Nxd7 Bxd7    7.  O-O Qh4
   8.  c4 O-O-O  9.  c5 g5      10.  Nc3 Bg7    11.  Ne2  f5     12.  f3 Rhf8!

 - Cochran Gambit (3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7 Kxf7 5. d4 g6):
   3.  Nxe5 d6   4.  Nxf7 Kxf7   5.  d4   g6     6.  Nc3  Kg7     7.  f4   Qe8  
   8.  e5   dxe5 9.  fxe5 Bb4   10.  a3  Bxc3+  11.  bxc3 Nc6
 
 - Cochran Gambit (3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7 Kxf7 5. d4 c5!?):
   3.  Nxe5 d6   4.  Nxf7 Kxf7   5.  d4  c5!?    6.  dxc5! Qa5+!?  7.  Nc3  Qxc5 
   8.  Be3  Qa5  9.  Bc4+ Be6   10.  Bxe6+ Kxe6 11.  0-0 Nc6      12.  f4 Rd8 
  13.  g4   d5  14.  g5

 - Cochran Gambit (3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7 Kxf7 5. Bc4+?! d6):
   3.  Nxe5 d6   4.  Nxf7 Kxf7   5.  Bc4+?! d5!  6.  Bb3   Bg4    7.  f3  Be6!  
   8.  e5   Nh5

Philidor's Defense [C41] - Play Through Variations -

Philidor first proposed this Defense in 1749. While regularly played by Alekhine and Nimzowitsch, it is rarely played by GMs these days. Black's 2nd move (d6), locks in his king's bishop and commits Black to a passive game.

   1.  e4 e5     2.  Nf3 d6

 - Boden variation:
   3.  d4 exd4   4.  Qxd4 Bd7  5.  Bf4 Nc6   6.  Qd2 Be7
   7.  Nc3 Nf6   8.  O-O-O O-O 9.  e5 dxe5  10.  Nxe5

 - Nimzovich variation:
   3.  d4 Nf6    4.  Nc3 Nbd7  5.  Bc4 Be7   6.  O-O O-O
   7.  Qe2 c6    8.  a4 Qc7    9.  h3 b6    10.  Rd1 Bd7

 - 4... Nxd4:
   3.  d4 exd4   4.  Nxd4 g6   5.  Nc3 Bg7   6.  Be3 Nf6
   7.  Qd2 O-O   8.  O-O-O Re8 9.  f3 a6    10.  g4 b5

 - 3... Bc4:
   3.  Bc4 Qf6   4.  d3 Bg4    5.  Nbd2 Nc6  6.  c3 Nge7
   7.  h3 Bd7    8.  b4 Ng6    9.  Nf1 Nf4  10.  Ne3 h6

Pirc Defense [B07] - Play Through Variations -

This Defense was pioneered by Yugoslav Vasja Pirc and fellow compatriots. This hypermodern Defense is based on counterattack. Black encourages White to form a pawn center, which Black then attempts to undermine and annihilate. Black plans to pressure d4 and the black squares in general.

   1.  e4 d6       2.  d4 Nf6     3.  Nc3 g6

 - Austrian Attack (5... O-O):
   4.  f4 Bg7      5.  Nf3 O-O    6.  e5 dxe5!   7.  dxe5 Qxd1+  8.  Kxd1 Nh5
   9.  Bc4 Nc6    10.  Be3 Bg4   11.  Rf1 Na5   12.  Be2 f6

 - Austrian Attack (5... c5):
   4.  f4 Bg7      5.  Nf3 c5!    6.  dxc5 Qa5   7.  Bd3 Qxc5    8.  Qe2 Bg4!
   9.  Be3 Qa5    10.  O-O Nc6   11.  h3 Bxf3   12.  Qxf3 O-O

 - Byrne Variation:
   4.  Bg5 Bg7     5.  Qd2 c6     6.  f4 O-O     7.  Nf3 b5
   8.  Bd3 Bg4     9.  f5 b4     10.  Ne2 Nbd7  11.  O-O c5

 - Classical System (5. Be2):
   4.  Nf3 Bg7     5.  Be2 O-O    6.  O-O Bg4    7.  Be3 Nc6     8.  Qd2 e5
   9.  d5 Ne7     10.  Rad1 Bd7  11.  Ne1 b5    12.  f3 Qb8 =

 - Classical System (5. Bc4):
   4.  Nf3 Bg7     5.  Bc4 O-O    6.  Qe2 Bg4    7.  e5 Nh5      8.  h3 Bxf3
   9.  Qxf3 dxe5  10.  Qxb7 Nd7  11.  dxe5 Nxe5 12.  Be2 Nf6

 - Fianchetto Variation:
   4.  g3 Bg7      5.  Bg2 O-O    6.  Nge2 e5    7.  h3 c6
   8.  Be3 b5      9.  O-O Bb7   10.  a3 Nbd7   11.  Qd2 Re8

 - Kholmov Variation:
   4.  Bc4 Bg7     5.  Qe2 O-O    6.  e5 dxe5    7.  dxe5 Nfd7   8.  e6 Ne5

Polish Attack [A00] - Play Through Variations -

Also known as the Sokolsky Opening, it was first played in Tartakower-Maroczy, New York 1924. Tartakower jokingly called it the Orangutan.

   1.  b4

 - 1... Nf6:
   1... Nf6      2.  Bb2 e6!   3.  b5 b6    4.  e3 Bb7
   5.  Nf3 Be7   6.  Be2 O-O   7.  O-O d5!  8.  d3 c5

 - 1... e5:
   1... e5       2.  Bb2 f6   3.  e4 Bxb4   4.  Bc4 Nc6
   5.  f4 Qe7    6.  f5 g6    7.  Nc3 Bxc3  8.  Bxc3 Qc5

Ponziani's Opening [C44] - Play Through Variations -

Historically, this opening has been part of mainstream theory but in the past 80 years or so, its presence in master tournaments is rarely seen.

   1.  e4 e5     2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  c3

 - 3... Nf6:
   3... Nf6      4.  d4 Nxe4    5.  d5 Ne7    6.  Nxe5 Ng6   7.  Bd3 Nxe5
   8.  Bxe4 Bc5  9.  Qh5 d6    10.  Bg5 Qd7  11.  O-O Qg4 =

 - 3... d5:
   3... d5       4.  Qa4 Nf6    5.  Nxe5 Bd6  6.  Nxc6 bxc6  7.  d3 O-O
   8.  Be2 Rfe8  9.  Bg5 Bd7   10.  Nd2 Rb8  11.  Qc2 h6

Queen's Bishop Attack [D00] - Play Through Variations -

   1.  d4 d5     2.  Bg5 h6!    3.  Bh4 c5    4.  Nc3 Nc6    5.  e3 Qa5
   6.  Nf3 Bg4   7.  Be2 Bxf3   8.  Bxf3 cxd4 9.  exd4 e6   10.  O-O g5

Queen's Gambit Accepted [D20] - Play Through Variations -

While black gains an initial pawn advantage, the difficulties encountered with holding on to it are usually too great. Black also gives up the center although white may be saddled with an isolated d pawn.

   1.  d4 d5       2.  c4 dxc4

  - Main Line (7... b5):
   3.  Nf3 Nf6     4.  e3 e6      5.  Bxc4 c5   6.  O-O a6     7.  Qe2 b5
   8.  Bb3 Bb7     9.  Rd1 Nbd7  10.  Nc3 Qb8  11.  d5 Nxd5   12.  Nxd5 Bxd5
  13.  Bxd5 exd5  14.  Rxd5 Be7  15.  e4 Qb7   16.  Bg5 Nb6   17.  Rd2

  - Main Line (7... Nc6):
   3.  Nf3 Nf6     4.  e3 e6      5.  Bxc4 c5   6.  O-O a6     7.  Qe2 Nc6
   8.  Nc3 b5      9.  Bb3 Bb7   10.  Rd1 Qc7  11.  d5 exd5   12.  e4! d4
  13.  Nd5 Qd8    14.  Bf4 Rc8   15.  a4

  - 4... Bg4:
   3.  Nf3 Nf6     4.  e3 Bg4     5.  Bxc4 e6   6.  h3 Bh5     7.  O-O Nbd7
   8.  Nc3 Bd6     9.  e4 e5     10.  g4! Bg6  11.  dxe5 Nxe5 12.  Nxe5 Bxe5

  - 3... c5:
   3.  Nf3 c5      4.  d5 Nf6     5.  Nc3 e6    6.  e4 exd5    7.  e5 Nfd7
   8.  Bg5 Be7     9.  Bxe7 Qxe7 10.  Nxd5 Qd8 11.  Bxc4 Nc6  12.  Qa4 O-O

Queen's Gambit Declined [D06] - Play Through Variations -

Carl von Jaenisch, in his "Analyse nouvelle du jeu des echecs" (1843), considered 2... e6 the best Defense to the QG; an opinion shared by many masters today.

   1.  d4 d5      2.  c4 e6

 - Cambridge Springs Defense (6. Nf3):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Bg5 Nbd7    5.  e3 c6      6.  Nf3 Qa5   7.  Nd2 dxc4
   8.  Bxf6 Nxf6  9.  Nxc4 Qc7   10.  Be2 Be7   11.  O-O O-O

 - Cambridge Springs Defense (6. Bd3):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Bg5 Nbd7    5.  e3 c6      6.  Bd3 dxc4  7.  Bxc4 Qa5
   8.  Bh4 b5     9.  Bb3 b4     10.  Nce2 Ba6  11.  Nf3 Be7  12.  O-O O-O

 - Classical Variation (6. Rc1):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Bg5 Be7     5.  e3 O-O     6.  Rc1 h6    7.  Bh4 b6
   8.  Bxf6 Bxf6  9.  cxd5 exd5  10.  Qf3 Bb7   11.  Bc4 c6   12.  Bb3 Na6

 - Exchange Variation (6... Be7):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  cxd5 exd5   5.  Bg5 c6     6.  Qc2 Be7   7.  e3 Nbd7
   8.  Bd3 O-O    9.  Nf3 Re8    10.  O-O Nf8   11.  Rab1 a5  12.  a3 Ne4

 - Lasker's Defense (9. cxd5):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Bg5 Be7     5.  e3 O-O     6.  Nf3 h6    7.  Bh4 Ne4
   8.  Bxe7 Qxe7  9.  cxd5 Nxc3  10.  bxc3 exd5 11.  Qb3 Qd6  12.  c4 dxc4
  13.  Bxc4 Nd7  14.  O-O Nb6    15.  Rfc1 Nxc4 16.  Qxc4 c6  17.  a4

 - Orthodox Variation / Main Line (13. dxe5):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Bg5 Be7     5.  e3 O-O     6.  Nf3 Nbd7  7.  Rc1 c6
   8.  Bd3 dxc4   9.  Bxc4 Nd5   10.  Bxe7 Qxe7 11.  O-O Nxc3 12.  Rxc3 e5
  13.  dxe5 Nxe5 14.  Nxe5 Qxe5  15.  f4 Qf6    16.  e4 Be6   17.  e5 Qe7

 - Orthodox Variation / Main Line (13. h3):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Bg5 Be7     5.  e3 O-O     6.  Nf3 Nbd7  7.  Rc1 c6
   8.  Bd3 dxc4   9.  Bxc4 Nd5   10.  Bxe7 Qxe7 11.  O-O Nxc3 12.  Rxc3 e5
  13.  h3 e4     14.  Nd2 Nb6    15.  Qc2 Re8   16.  Bb3 Kh8  17.  Rc5 f6

 - Petrosian Variation (11... e5):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Bg5 Be7     5.  e3 O-O     6.  Nf3 h6    7.  Bxf6 Bxf6
   8.  Rc1 c6     9.  Bd3 Nd7    10.  O-O dxc4  11.  Bxc4 e5  12.  h3 exd4
  13.  exd4 Nb6  14.  Bb3 Re8    15.  Re1 Rxe1+ 16.  Qxe1 Bf5 17.  Ne4 Bxe4

 - Ragozin System (5. Bg5):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Nf3 Bb4     5.  Bg5 dxc4   6.  e4 c5     7.  e5 cxd4
   8.  Qa4+ Nc6   9.  O-O-O h6   10.  exf6 hxg5 11.  fxg7 Rg8 12.  Nxd4 Bxc3

 - Ragozin System (5. cxd5):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Nf3 Bb4     5.  cxd5 exd5  6.  Bg5 Nbd7  7.  e3 c5
   8.  Bd3 c4     9.  Bf5 Qa5    10.  Qc2 O-O   11.  O-O Re8  12.  Nd2 g6

 - Semi-Tarrasch Defense (7. Bd3 cxd4):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Nf3 c5      5.  cxd5 Nxd5  6.  e3 Nc6    7.  Bd3 cxd4
   8.  exd4 Be7   9.  O-O O-O    10.  Re1 Bf6   11.  Be4 Qd6  12.  Nb5 Qb8

 - Semi-Tarrasch Defense (7. Bc4 cxd4):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Nf3 c5      5.  cxd5 Nxd5  6.  e3 Nc6    7.  Bc4 cxd4
   8.  exd4 Be7   9.  O-O O-O    10.  Re1 Nxc3  11.  bxc3 b6  12.  Bd3 Bb7

 - Tarrasch Defense / Marshall Gambit:
   3.  Nc3 c5     4.  cxd5 cxd4   5.  Qxd4 Nc6   6.  Qd1 exd5  7.  Qxd5 Bd7
   8.  Nf3 Nf6    9.  Qd1 Bc5    10.  e3 Qe7    11.  a3 O-O-O 12.  Qc2 Kb8

 - Tartakower Variation (8. cxd5):
   3.  Nc3 Nf6    4.  Bg5 Be7     5.  e3 O-O     6.  Nf3 h6     7.  Bh4 b6
   8.  cxd5 Nxd5  9.  Bxe7 Qxe7  10.  Nxd5 exd5 11.  Rc1 Be6   12.  Qa4 c5
  13.  Qa3 Rc8   14.  Be2 Kf8    15.  dxc5 bxc5 16.  O-O a5    17.  Rc3 Nd7

Queen's Indian Defense [E12] - Play Through Variations -

A hypermodern Defense where black attempts to find good squares for his pieces in the fight for the center.

   1.  d4 Nf6     2.  c4 e6     3.  Nf3 b6

 - Main Line (8. Qc2):
   4.  g3 Bb7     5.  Bg2 Be7   6.  O-O O-O    7.  Nc3 Ne4    8.  Qc2 Nxc3
   9.  Qxc3 c5   10.  Rd1 d6   11.  b3 Bf6    12.  Bb2 Qe7   13.  Qd2 Rd8

 - Main Line (8. Bd2):
   4.  g3 Bb7     5.  Bg2 Be7   6.  O-O O-O    7.  Nc3 Ne4    8.  Bd2 Bf6
   9.  Rc1 c5    10.  d5 exd5  11.  cxd5 Nxd2 12.  Nxd2 d6   13.  Nde4 Be7

 - Petrosian System (9... Nxc3):
   4.  a3 Bb7     5.  Nc3 d5    6.  cxd5 Nxd5  7.  e3 Be7     8.  Bb5+ c6
   9.  Bd3 Nxc3  10.  bxc3 c5  11.  O-O Nc6   12.  e4 O-O    13.  Bb2 cxd4
  14.  cxd4 Rc8  15.  Qe2 Na5  16.  Rad1 Bf6  17.  Rfe1 Re8 =

 - Petrosian System (9... O-O):
   4.  a3 Bb7     5.  Nc3 d5    6.  cxd5 Nxd5  7.  e3 Be7     8.  Bb5+ c6
   9.  Bd3 O-O   10.  e4 Nxc3  11.  bxc3 c5   12.  Qe2 cxd4  13.  cxd4 Qc8

Queen's Pawn Counter Gambit [C40] - Play Through Variations -

While a good surprise for unwary opponents, black does not gain sufficient compensation.

   1.  e4 e5     2.  Nf3 d5   3.  exd5 e4   4.  Qe2

 - 4... Nf6:
   4... Nf6      5.  d3 Be7   6.  dxe4 O-O  7.  Nc3 Re8   8.  Bd2 Bb4

 - 4... f5:
   4... f5       5.  d3 Nf6   6.  dxe4 fxe4 7.  Nc3 Bb4   8.  Qb5+ c6

Reti Opening [A04] - Play Through Variations -

Alekhine legitimized this hypermodern opening in the 1920s.

   1.  Nf3 d5

 - Barcza System (2... Nf6):
   2.  g3 Nf6    3.  Bg2 Bf5   4.  c4 c6      5.  cxd5 cxd5
   6.  Qb3 Qc8   7.  Nc3 e6    8.  d3 Nc6     9.  Bf4 Be7

 - Benoni Reversed (3. b4):
   2.  c4 d4     3.  b4 f6     4.  e3 e5      5.  Qb3 c5
   6.  bxc5 Bxc5 7.  exd4 exd4 8.  Ba3 Qe7+   9.  Be2 Nc6

 - Reti Accepted:
   2.  c4 dxc4   3.  Na3 c5    4.  Nxc4 Nc6   5.  b3 f6
   6.  Bb2 e5    7.  g3 Nge7   8.  Bg2 Nd5    9.  O-O Be7

 - London System (4... Bg4):
   2.  c4 c6     3.  b3 Nf6    4.  g3 Bg4     5.  Bg2 e6
   6.  O-O Bd6   7.  Bb2 O-O   8.  d4 Nbd7    9.  Nbd2 Qe7 

 - London System (4... Bf5):
   2.  c4 c6     3.  b3 Nf6    4.  g3 Bf5     5.  Bg2 e6
   6.  O-O Nbd7  7.  Bb2 Bd6   8.  d3 O-O     9.  Nbd2 e5

 - Neo-Catalan:
   2.  c4 e6     3.  g3 Nf6    4.  Bg2 Be7    5.  O-O O-O
   6.  b3 c5     7.  Bb2 Nc6   8.  e3 b6      9.  Nc3 Bb7

Richter-Veresov Attack [D01] - Play Through Variations -

   1.  d4 d5    2.  Nc3 Nf6   3.  Bg5 Nbd7   4.  f3 h6
   5.  Bh4 e6   6.  e4 g5     7.  Bg3 Nxe4   8.  Nxe4 dxe4

Robatsch Defense [B06] - Play Through Variations -

A hypermodern Defense named after the Austrian Master K. Robatsch. The Robatsch is similar to the Pirc but it delays or omits Nf6.

   1.  e4 g6      2.  d4 Bg7

 - 3. Nc3:
   3.  Nc3 d6     4.  f4 c6       5.  Nf3 Bg4   6.  Be3 Qb6   7.  Qd2! Bxf3
   8.  gxf3 Nd7   9.  O-O-O Qa5  10.  f5 b5    11.  Kb1

 - 3. Nf3:
   3.  Nf3 d6     4.  Bc4 Nf6     5.  Qe2 O-O   6.  O-O c6    7.  Bb3 Qc7
   8.  e5 dxe5    9.  dxe5 Nd5   10.  Re1 Na6  11.  c3 Nc5   12.  Bc2 Bg4

Ruth-Trompowski Attack [A45] - Play Through Variations -

Opocensky and Trompowski developed this opening in the 1930s although American W.A. Ruth consistently propogated it long before that.

   1.  d4 Nf6   2.  Bg5

 - 2... c5:
   2... c5      3.  Bxf6 gxf6   4.  d5 Qb6   5.  Qc1 f5
   6.  c3 Bg7   7.  c3 e6       8.  Nh3 Qd6

 - 2... Ne4:
   2... Ne4     3.  Bf4 d5      4.  f3 Nf6   5.  Nc3 e6
   6.  e4 c5    7.  Nb5 Na6     8.  e5 Nd7

Ruy Lopez [C60] - Play Through Variations -

First mentioned in the Göttingen manuscript of 1490, the Spanish priest Ruy Lopez was the first to treat this opening systematically. White consistently applies pressue to black's e pawn and black must patiently defend, thus providing the nickname "Spanish Torture".

   1.  e4 e5      2.  Nf3 Nc6     3.  Bb5

 - Berlin Defense (4. O-O):
   3... Nf6       4.  O-O Nxe4    5.  d4 Nd6    6.  Bxc6 dxc6  7.  dxe5 Nf5
   8.  Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.  b3 h6      10.  Nc3 Be6  11.  Bb2 Kc8   12.  Ne2 Bd5

 - Classical Defense (4. c3):
   3... Bc5       4.  c3 f5      5.  d4 fxe4    6.  Bxc6 dxc6  7.  Nxe5 Bd6
   8.  Qh5+ g6    9.  Qe2 Qh4   10.  h3 Be6    11.  Nd2 Bxe5  12.  dxe5 Qg5

 - Closed Defense / Fianchetto Variation:
   3... a6        4.  Ba4 Nf6    5.  O-O Be7    6.  Re1 b5     7.  Bb3 d6
   8.  c3 O-O     9.  h3 Bb7    10.  d4 Re8    11.  Ng5 Rf8   12.  f4 exf4

 - Exchange Variation (5. d4):
   3... a6        4.  Bxc6 dxc6  5.  d4 exd4    6.  Qxd4 Qxd4  7.  Nxd4 Bd7
   8.  Be3 O-O-O  9.  Nd2 Ne7   10.  O-O-O Re8 11.  Rhe1 Ng6 =

 - Exchange Variation (5. O-O f6):
   3... a6        4.  Bxc6 dxc6  5.  O-O f6     6.  d4 Bg4     7.  dxe5 Qxd1
   8.  Rxd1 fxe5  9.  Rd3 Bd6   10.  Nbd2 b5   11.  b3 Ne7    12.  Bb2 Ng6

 - Exchange Variation / Doubly Deferred:
   3... a6        4.  Ba4 Nf6    5.  O-O Be7    6.  Bxc6 dxc6  7.  d3 Nd7
   8.  Nbd2 O-O   9.  Nc4 f6    10.  Nh4 Nc5   11.  Nf5 Bxf5  12.  exf5 Qd7

 - Marshall Gambit (9... Nxd5):
   3... a6        4.  Ba4 Nf6    5.  O-O Be7    6.  Re1 b5     7.  Bb3 O-O
   8.  c3 d5      9.  exd5 Nxd5 10.  Nxe5 Nxe5 11.  Rxe5 c6!  12.  d4 Bd6
  13.  Re1 Qh4   14.  g3 Qh3    15.  Be3 Bg4   16.  Qd3 Rae8  17.  Nd2 Re6

 - Modern Steinitz Defense (5. O-O):
   3... a6        4.  Ba4 d6     5.  O-O Bg4    6.  h3 h5      7.  d4! b5
   8.  Bb3 Nxd4   9.  hxg4 hxg4 10.  Ng5 Nh6   11.  Bd5 c6    12.  c3 cxd5

 - Open Defense (9... Bc5):
   3... a6        4.  Ba4 Nf6    5.  O-O Nxe4   6.  d4 b5      7.  Bb3 d5
   8.  dxe5 Be6   9.  c3 Bc5    10.  Nbd2 O-O  11.  Bc2 Bf5   12.  Nb3 Bg6
  13.  Nfd4 Nxd4 14.  cxd4 a5   15.  Be3 a4    16.  Nd2 a3    17.  Nxe4 axb2

 - Open Defense (9... Be7):
   3... a6        4.  Ba4 Nf6    5.  O-O Nxe4   6.  d4 b5      7.  Bb3 d5
   8.  dxe5 Be6   9.  c3 Be7    10.  Nbd2 O-O  11.  Bc2 f5    12.  Nb3 Qd7
  13.  Nfd4 Nxd4 14.  cxd4 a5   15.  f3 a4     16.  fxe4 axb3 17.  Bxb3 fxe4

Scotch Game [C44] - Play Through Variations -

A correspodence match between London and Edinburgh in 1824 gave this opening its name. Similar to the Center game but provides black a chance at quick equality.

   1.  e4 e5     2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  d4

 - 4... Bc5:
   3... exd4     4.  Nxd4 Bc5   5.  Nb3 Bb6    6.  a4 a5      7.  Nc3  Qf6
   8.  Qe2 Nge7  9.  Be3 Bxe3  10.  Qxe3 O-O  11.  O-O-O Nb4 12.  Nb5 b6 =

 - 4... Nf6:
   3... exd4     4.  Nxd4 Nf6   5.  Nc3 Bb4    6.  Nxc6 bxc6  7.  Bd3 d5
   8.  exd5 cxd5 9.  O-O O-O   10.  Bg5 c6    11.  Qf3 Bd6   12.  Bxf6 Qxf6

 - Scotch Gambit Accepted:
   3... cxd4     4.  Bc4 Bc5    5.  c3 dxc3    6.  Nxc3 d6    7.  Bg5 Nge7 
   8.  Nd5 f6    9.  Bxf6 gxf6 10.  Nxf6+ Kf8 11.  Qc1 Ng8

 - Goring Gambit Accepted (8.. Nf6):
   3... exd4     4.  c3 dxc3    5.  Nxc3 Bb4   6.  Bc4 d6     7.  O-O Bxc3
   8.  bxc3 Nf6  9.  e5 Nxe5   10.  Nxe5 dxe5 11.  Qb3 Qe7   12.  Ba3 c5

 - Goring Gambit Declined (4... d5):
   3... exd4     4.  c3 d5      5.  exd5 Qxd5  6.  cxd4 Bb4+  7.  Nc3 Bg4
   8.  Be2 Bxf3  9.  Bxf3 Qc4  10.  Qb3 Qxb3  11.  axb3 Nge7 12.  O-O a6 =

Semi-Slav Defense [D10] - Play Through Variations -

   1.  d4 d5     2.  c4 c6      3.  Nf3 Nf6    4.  Nc3 e6

 - Main Line / 5. e3:
   5.  e3 Nbd7   6.  Bd3 dxc4   7.  Bxc4 b5    8.  Bd3 a6     9.  e4 c5
  10.  e5 cxd4  11.  Nxb5 Nxe5 12.  Nxe5 axb5 13.  O-O Qd5   14.  Qe2 Rb8
  15.  Bg5 Bd6  16.  f4 h6     17.  Bh4 g5    18. Bg3 gxf4   19. Bxf4 Rg8

 - Reynolds Variation:
   5.  e3 Nbd7   6.  Bd3 dxc4   7.  Bxc4 b5    8.  Bd3 a6     9.  e4 c5
  10.  d5 e5    11.  b3 Bd7    12.  O-O O-O   13.  a4 c4!?   14.  bxc4 b4
  15.  Ne2 Nc5  16.  Ng3 Qc7   17.  Be3 a5    18. Bxc5 Bxc5  19. Nd2 g6

 - Meran Variation:
   5.  e3 Nbd7   6.  Bd3 dxc4   7.  Bxc4 b5    8.  Bd3 a6     9.  e4 c5
  10.  d5 c4    11.  dxe6 fxe6 12.  Bc2 Qc7   13.  Ng5 Nc5   14.  f4 Bb7
  15.  e5 Rd8   16.  Bd2 Nd5   17.  Qh5+ g6   18. Bxg6 hxg6  19. Qxh8 Nxf4

Sicilian Defense [B20] - Play Through Variations -

Dating back more than 400 years in Italy, it was given its name by Greco in the early 17th century. The Yugoslav Attack is white's most effective response to the Dragon.

   1.  e4 c5

 - Accelerated Dragon (7. Nxc6):
   2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 g6     5.  Nc3 Bg7     6.  Be3 Nf6
   7.  Nxc6 bxc6  8.  e5 Ng8    9.  f4 Nh6     10.  Qd2 O-O    11.  O-O-O Qa5!
  12.  Bc4 Rb8   13.  h4 d6    14.  h5 Nf5     15.  hxg6 hxg6  16.  g4 Nxe3

 - Alapin Variation:
   2.  c3 Nc6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  cxd4 d5     5.  exd5 Qxd5   6.  Nf3 Bg4

 - Closed Variation (6. f4 e6):
   2.  Nc3 Nc6    3.  g3 g6     4.  Bg2 Bg7     5.  d3 d6       6.  f4 e6
   7.  Nf3 Nge7   8.  O-O O-O   9.  Be3 Nd4    10.  Qd2 Rb8    11.  Nh4 b5
  12.  Nd1 f5    13.  c3 Ndc6  14.  Nf3 b4     15.  c4 Nd4

 - Closed Variation (6. Be3 e6):
   2.  Nc3 Nc6    3.  g3 g6     4.  Bg2 Bg7     5.  d3 d6       6.  Be3 e6
   7.  Qd2 Nge7   8.  Bh6 Bxh6  9.  Qxh6 Nd4   10.  O-O-O Nec6 11.  Nge2 Bd7
  12.  Nxd4 cxd4 13.  Ne2 Qa5  14.  Kb1 Qa4?!  15.  c3 dxc3    16.  Nxc3

 - Dragon Variation / Classical (9. Nb3):
   2.  Nf3 d6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 g6      6.  Be2 Bg7
   7.  O-O O-O    8.  Be3 Nc6   9.  Nb3 Be6    10.  f4 Qc8     11.  Kh1 Bg4
  12.  Bg1 Bxe2  13.  Qxe2 Qg4 14.  Qd2 b5!    15.  Rae1 b4    16.  Nd5 Qc8

 - Dragon Variation / Levenfish Variation (6... Nc6!):
   2.  Nf3 d6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 g6      6.  f4 Nc6!
   7.  Nxc6 bxc6  8.  e5 Nd7    9.  exd6 exd6  10.  Be3 Be7!   11.  Qf3 d5
  12.  O-O-O Bf6 13.  Bd4 O-O =

 - Dragon Variation / Yugoslav Attack (13. Bg5):
   2.  Nf3 d6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 g6      6.  Be3 Bg7
   7.  f3 Nc6     8.  Qd2 O-O   9.  Bc4 Bd7    10.  O-O-O Rc8  11.  Bb3 Ne5
  12.  h4 h5     13.  Bg5 Rc5  14.  Kb1 b5     15.  g4 a5      16.  gxh5! a4

 - Four Knights Variation:
   2.  Nf3 e6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 Nc6     6.  Ndb5 Bb4
   7.  a3 Bxc3+   8.  Nxc3 d5   9.  exd5 exd5  10.  Bd3 O-O    11.  O-O d4

 - Lowenthall Variation:
   2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 e5     5.  Ndb5 a6     6.  Nd6+ Bxd6
   7.  Qxd6 Qf6   8.  Qd1 Qg6   9.  Nc3 Nge7   10.  h4 h5      11.  Bg5 d5

 - Morra Gambit (7... Nf6):
   2.  d4 cxd4    3.  c3 dxc3   4.  Nxc3 Nc6    5.  Nf3 d6      6.  Bc4 e6
   7.  O-O Nf6    8.  Qe2 Be7   9.  Rd1 e5     10.  h3 O-O     11.  Be3 a6

 - Najdorf Variation (6. Bg5 e6 7. f4):
   2.  Nf3 d6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 a6      6.  Bg5 e6
   7.  f4 Be7     8.  Qf3 Qc7   9.  O-O-O Nbd7 10.  g4 b5      11.  Bxf6 Nxf6
  12.  g5 Nd7    13.  f5 Nc5   14.  f6 gxf6    15.  gxf6 Bf8   16.  Rg1 Bd7

 - Najdorf Variation (6. Be2 e5):
   2.  Nf3 d6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 a6      6.  Be2 e5
   7.  Nb3 Be7    8.  O-O O-O   9.  Be3 Be6    10.  Qd2 Nbd7   11.  a4 Rc8
  12.  a5 Qc7    13.  Rfd1 Rfe8

 - Nimzowitsch Variation (3. e5):
   2.  Nf3 Nf6!?  3.  e5 Nd5    4.  Nc3 e6      5.  Nxd5 exd5    6.  d4 Nc6
   7.  dxc5 Bxc5  8.  Qxd5 Qb6  9.  Bc4 Bxf2+  10.  Ke2 O-O     11.  Rf1 Bc5

 - Paulsen Variation (5. Bd3 Nf6):
   2.  Nf3 e6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 a6     5.  Bd3 Nf6      6.  O-O d6
   7.  c4 Be7     8.  Nc3 O-O   9.  Qe2 Nbd7   10.  f4 Qc7      11.  Kh1 b6
  12.  Bd2 Bb7   13.  Rac1 g6  14.  b4 Rac8    15.  a3

 - Paulsen Variation (5. c4):
   2.  Nf3 e6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 a6     5.  c4 Nf6       6.  Nc3 Bb4
   7.  Bd3 Nc6    8.  Nxc6 dxc6 9.  e5 Qa5!    10.  exf6 Bxc3+  11.  bxc3 Qxc3+
  12.  Bd2 Qxd3  13.  fxg7 Rg8 14.  Bh6 Qc3+   15.  Kf1 Qf6

 - Pelikan Variation / Main Line (11. Bd3):
   2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 e5       6.  Ndb5 d6
   7.  Bg5 a6     8.  Na3 b5    9.  Bxf6 gxf6! 10.  Nd5 f5      11.  Bd3 Be6
  12.  Qh5 Bg7   13.  O-O f4   14.  c4 bxc4    15.  Bxc4 O-O    16.  Rac1 Kh8

 - Richter-Rauzer Attack (9. f4):
   2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 d6       6.  Bg5 e6
   7.  Qd2 Be7    8.  O-O-O O-O 9.  f4 Nxd4    10.  Qxd4 Qa5    11.  Bc4 Bd7
  12.  e5 dxe5   13.  fxe5 Bc6 14.  Bd2 Nd7    15.  Nd5 Qd8     16.  Nxe7+ Qxe7

 - Richter-Rauzer Attack (8... Bd7):
   2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 d6       6.  Bg5 e6
   7.  Qd2 a6     8.  O-O-O Bd7 9.  f4 Be7     10.  Nf3 b5      11.  Bxf6 gxf6
  12.  Kb1 Qb6   13.  f5 O-O-O 14.  g3 Kb8     15.  fxe6 fxe6   16.  Bh3 Bc8

 - Rossolimo Variation (3... g6):
   2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  Bb5 g6    4.  O-O Bg7     5.  c3 Nf6       6.  d4 cxd4
   7.  cxd4 Nxe4  8.  d5 Nd6    9.  Na3 Ne5    10.  Nxe5 Bxe5   11.  Re1 Bf6

 - Scheveningen Variation / Main Line (10. a4):
   2.  Nf3 e6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 d6       6.  Be2 Be7
   7.  O-O O-O    8.  f4 Nc6    9.  Be3 a6     10.  a4 Qc7      11.  Kh1 Re8
  12.  Bf3 Rb8   13.  Qd2 Bd7  14.  Nb3 b6     15.  g4 Bc8      16.  g5 Nd7

 - Scheveningen Variation (6. Be2 a6):
   2.  Nf3 e6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 d6       6.  Be2 a6
   7.  O-O Qc7    8.  f4 Be7    9.  Kh1 O-O    10.  a4 b6       11.  e5! dxe5
  12.  fxe5 Nfd7 13.  Bf4 Bb7  14.  Bf3 Nc6    15.  Bxc6 Bxc6   16.  Qg4

 - Scheveningen Variation / Keres Attack (6... h6):
   2.  Nf3 e6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 d6       6.  g4 h6
   7.  g5 hxg5    8.  Bxg5 Nc6  9.  Qd2 Qb6    10.  Nb3 a6      11.  O-O-O Bd7
  12.  f4 O-O-O  13.  h4 Qc7   14.  Be2 Be7    15.  Bf3 Kb8     16.  h5 Bc8

 - Sozin Attack (6... e6):
   2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 d6      6.  Bc4 e6
   7.  Bb3 Be7    8.  Be3 O-O   9.  O-O a6     10.  f4 Nxd4    11.  Bxd4 b5
  12.  e5 dxe5   13.  fxe5 Nd7 14.  Ne4 Bb7    15.  Nd6 Bxd6   16.  exd6 Qg5

 - Sozin Attack (6... Qb6):
   2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nf6    5.  Nc3 d6      6.  Bc4 Qb6
   7.  Nb3 e6     8.  O-O Be7   9.  Bg5 a6     10.  Bxf6 gxf6  11.  Qh5 Nd4
  12.  Rfd1 Nxb3 13.  axb3 Rb8 14.  Qh6 Qc5    15.  Qg7 Rf8    16.  Qxh7 b5

 - Taimanov Variation / Main Line (6. g3 Qc7):
   2.  Nf3 e6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nc6    5.  Nc3 a6      6.  g3 Qc7
   7.  Bg2 Nf6    8.  O-O Be7   9.  Re1 Nxd4   10.  Qxd4 Bc5   11.  Qd1 d6
  12.  Na4 Ba7   13.  b3 O-O   14.  c4 e5      15.  Ba3 Bd4    16.  Rc1 Ng4

 - Taimanov Variation / Main Line (6. Be2 Qc7):
   2.  Nf3 e6     3.  d4 cxd4   4.  Nxd4 Nc6    5.  Nc3 a6      6.  Be2 Qc7
   7.  O-O Nf6    8.  Be3 Bb4   9.  Na4 Be7    10.  Nxc6 bxc6  11.  Nb6 Rb8
  12.  Nxc8 Qxc8 13.  e5 Nd5   14.  Bc1 Bc5    15.  c4 Ne7     16.  b3 Qc7

 - Wing Gambit (2. b4):
   2.  b4 cxb4    3.  a3 d5     4.  exd5 Qxd5   5.  Nf3 e5      6.  axb4 Bxb4
   7.  Na3 Bxa3   8.  Bxa3 Nc6  9.  c4 Qd8     10.  Qb1 Nge7 =

Slav Defense [D10] - Play Through Variations -

   1.  d4 d5     2.  c4 c6

 - Main Line / 5. e3:
   3.  Nf3 Nf6   4.  Nc3 dxc4   5.  e3 b5     6.  a4 b4       7.  Nb1 Ba6
   8.  Qc2 b3    9.  Qd1 e6    10.  Nbd2 Qd5 11.  Be2 Nbd7   12.  O-O Rb8!

 - Main Line / 5. e4:
   3.  Nf3 Nf6   4.  Nc3 dxc4   5.  e4 b5     6.  e5 Nd5      7.  a4 e6
   8.  axb5 Nxc3 9.  bxc3 cxb5 10.  Ng5 Bb7  11.  Qh5 g6     12. Qg4 Be7

 - Main Line / 5. a4 Na6:
   3.  Nf3 Nf6   4.  Nc3 dxc4   5.  a4 Na6    6.  e4 Bg4      7.  Bxc4 e6
   8.  Be3 Be7   9.  O-O Nb4   10.  Be2 O-O  11.  h3 Bh5     12.  Ne5 Bxe2

 - Main Line / 5. a4 Bf5:
   3.  Nf3 Nf6   4.  Nc3 dxc4   5.  a4 Bf5    6.  Ne5 e6      7.  f3 Bb4
   8.  Nxc4 O-O  9.  Bg5 h6    10.  Bh4 c5   11.  dxc5 Qxd1+ 12.  Rxd1 Bc2

 - Exchange Variation:
   3.  Nc3 Nf6   4.  cxd5 cxd5  5.  Bf4 Nc6   6.  e3 Bf5      7.  Nf3 e6
   8.  Bb5 Nd7   9.  Qa4 Rc8   10.  O-O a6   11.  Bxc6 Rxc6  12.  Rfc1 Be7

Three Knights Game [C46] - Play Through Variations -

Black attempts to avoid the drawish lines of the Four Knights' Game.

   1.  e4 e5     2.  Nf3 Nc6   3.  Nc3

 - 3... g6:
   3... g6       4.  d4 exd4    5.  Nd5 Bg7     6.  Bg5 Nce7    7.  Nxd4 c6
   8.  Nc3 h6    9.  Bf4 d5    10.  Qd2 Nf6    11.  O-O-O Nxe4 12.  Nxe4 dxe4

 - 3... Bb4:
   3... Bb4      4.  Nd5 Nf6    5.  Nxb4 Nxb4   6.  Nxe5 Qe7    7.  d4 d6
   8.  a3 dxe5   9.  axb4 exd4 10.  Qxd4 Qxe4+ 11.  Qxe4 Nxe4

 - 3... Bc5:
   3... Bc5      4.  Nxe5 Nxe5  5.  d4 Bd6      6.  dxe5 Bxe5   7.  f4 Bxc3+
   8.  bxc3 Nf6  9.  e5 Qe7    10.  Be2 Ne4    11.  Qd4 Qh4+   12.  g3 Nxg3

Torre Attack [D03] - Play Through Variations -

   1.  d4 Nf6    2.  Nf3

 - 2... e6:
   2... e6      3.  e3 c5      4.  Bd3 b6     5.  O-O Bb7    6.  b3 Nc6
   7.  Bb2 Be7  8.  Nbd2 cxd4  9.  exd4 O-O  10.  a3 Rc8    11.  Rc1 Re8

 - 2... g6:
   2... g6      3.  Bg5 Bg7    4.  Nbd2 d5!   5.  e3 O-O     6.  c3 b6
   7.  b4 Bb7   8.  Be2 Nbd7   9.  O-O Qe8 =

Two Knights Defense [C56] - Play Through Variations -

First analyzed by Polerio in 1580, modern lines providing a pawn sac give this Defense its aggressive nature.

   1.  e4 e5     2.  Nf3 Nc6    3.  Bc4 Nf6

 - Main Line (9. Nf3):
   4.  Ng5 d5     5.  exd5 Na5   6.  Bb5+ c6     7.  dxc6 bxc6  8.  Be2 h6
   9.  Nf3 e4    10.  Ne5 Bd6   11.  f4 exf3ep  12.  Nxf3 O-O  13.  d4 c5
  14.  O-O Re8   15.  Kh1 Bb7   16.  Nc3 cxd4   17.  Qxd4 Nc6  18. Qh4 Ne5 =

 - Main Line (9. Nh3):
   4.  Ng5 d5     5.  exd5 Na5   6.  Bb5+ c6     7.  dxc6 bxc6  8.  Be2 h6
   9.  Nh3 Bc5   10.  O-O O-O   11.  d3 Nb7     12.  Nc3 Nd5   13.  Bf3 Bb6
  14.  Qe2 Re8   15.  Re1 Nxc3  16.  bxc3 Bd7 =

 - Max Lange Attack:
   4.  d4 exd4    5.  O-O Bc5    6.  e5 d5       7.  exf6 dxc4  8.  Re1+ Be6
   9.  Ng5 Qd5   10.  Nc3 Qf5   11.  Nce4 O-O-O 12.  g4 Qe5    13.  Nxe6 fxe6

 - Wilkes-Barre Variation:
   4.  Ng5 Bc5!?  5.  Bxf7+ Ke7  6.  Bd5 d6      7.  c3 Qe8!    8.  d4 exd4
   9.  cxd4 Nxd4 10.  Nc3 Qh5   11.  Qd3 Rf8    12.  b4 Bb6 =

Vienna Game [C25] - Play Through Variations -

Named after the city, its popularity waned after WW I with the appearance of modern openings. The opening is played for a direct kingside attack but it lacks a true threatening nature.

   1.  e4 e5     2.  Nc3

 - 2... Nf6:
   1... Nf6      3.  Bc4 Nxe4   4.  Qh5 Nd6    5.  Bb3 Nc6    6.  Nb5 g6
   7.  Qf3 f5    8.  Qd5 Qe7    9.  Nxc7+ Kd8 10.  Nxa8 b6   11.  Nf3 Bb7

 - Pierce Gambit:
   1... Nc6      3.  f4 exf4    4.  Nf3 g5     5.  d4 g4      6.  Bc4 gxf3
   7.  O-O d5    8.  exd5 Bg4!  9.  Qd2 Nce7  10.  Qxf4 Qd7

 - Vienna Gambit:
   2... Nf6      3.  f4 d5      4.  fxe5 Nxe4  5.  Nf3 Be7    6.  d4 O-O
   7.  Bd3 f5    8.  exf6 Bxf6  9.  O-O Nc6   10.  Nxe4 dxe4 11.  Bxe4 Nxd4