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Talk us through your favourite chess opening!

Posted by Ford James in Sport

While chess can often be a reactive game based on what your opponent does, you need to go in with a plan. That's where your opening comes in, and there are loads to choose from. For this bounty, we want you to talk us through your favourite! Why is it your favourite, what style of play does it enable, and how does it work? Make sure to include a screenshot of the opening!

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Created at 1:08pm, 7th November, 2024. Page last updated at 1:25pm, 9th January, 2025.
Deadline at 12:00am, 19th February, 2025.

failedd 1/5/2025, 7:34:01 PM

My favorite chess opening is the King's Gambit. It is one of the oldest and most spectacular openings, characterized by aggressive and tactical play from the first moves.

Main Moves

1. e4 e5

White advances the king's pawn and Black responds symmetrically, opening the game and controlling the center.

2. f4

White sacrifices the pawn on f4 to:

Rapidly develop the pieces.

Open the "f" file for an attack against the black king.

Take the initiative from the beginning.

2... exf4

If Black accepts the gambit, he takes the f4 pawn. Now White has space and time to develop a dangerous attack.

White's Plans

Rapid development: move the main pieces (knights and bishops) immediately, aiming for the center and the key squares around the black king.

Control of the "f" file: White often castles short to place the rook on the open file.

Attack against the king: exploit black's exposed position, especially if black delays castling.

Black's Responses

Black has several options to respond:

Accept the gambit (2... exf4): can lead to a complicated and dangerous game if black does not defend properly.

Refuse the gambit (2... d6 or 2... Nc6): develop the pieces without accepting the pawn, maintaining a more solid structure.

Example of a Popular Variation: King's Gambit Accepted

e4 e5

f4 exf4

Nf3 g5

Bc4 g4

Ne5 Qh4+

Black tries to attack immediately, but white can respond with tactics that put black in difficulty, for example:

6. Kf1: the white king moves out of the central board, leaving room for lightning-fast counterattacks.

Why I Like It?

Aggressiveness: The King's Gambit puts pressure on the opponent immediately, forcing him to defend himself with precision.

Historical and romantic: It is an opening that evokes the golden age of chess, when spectacular play was more appreciated than long defensive games.

Fun: Every game with the King's Gambit is full of surprises and creative possibilities

Scarlet 1/4/2025, 9:56:16 AM

Spanish Opening. The moves are:

e4 e5 (controls the center of the board)

Nf3 Nc6 (the knight threatens the pawn on e5)

Bb5 (pressure on the knight with c6)

These are strategic combinations that can lead to a solid victory. In addition, this opening offers several possibilities that allow you to change ideas on subsequent positions based on the opponent's game.

MrT 12/25/2024, 10:51:09 PM

I just have to say first off that I'm no chess expert but these are the opening moves I've done since I started playing. The first move I do is move out the pawn from the king:

I then move out the Queen diagonally to protect the pawn now that she has the space:

I'll then move the left knight to also protect the pawn:

The rest of it depends on what the other player does.

I think those moves are pretty standard, however, the main reason I wanted to submit to this bounty was to show off the impressive chess set my grandfather made. He served in WW2 and made the chess pieces out of bullet shells. To identify the other side he stuck coins on them. He had the chess board made from marble.

NiteDark 12/25/2024, 12:01:56 PM

For me, the best opening is Ruy López, better known as Spanish Opening. It was the first opening I learned in chess and I still use it several times today. It is not difficult to use and very efficient.

Vivisector 12/13/2024, 12:32:21 AM

I'd like to start with two horses in high position because they are the most unpredictable chess piece!

mypets 11/30/2024, 1:15:22 PM

I really like the Italian opening, similar to the Ruy Lopez, which are classic moves. It starts with the King's Pawn Opening, with 1. e4 e5; 2. Nf3 Nc6; 3. Bc4

So White and Black gain central space on move one and develop a knight on move two. It's an aggressive move with direct attacking chances, and I think it's an excellent move for beginners to practice.

With 3. Bc4, White develops another piece, gets close to castling on the kingside and even looks at the weak f7-square with the bishop.

MQC 11/16/2024, 8:09:10 AM

Dutch Defence

Moves: 1.d4 f5

This is a very aggressive opening for Black because the early advance of Black's queenside pawn to d5, in response to White's first move d4, allows him to press the centre and control e4.

I like this idea enormously because many of my opponents don't usually have it well worked out. Undoubtedly it is a dangerous opening against opponents who do know how to counter it, and Black is in danger of being quickly put at a disadvantage, but if well worked out it allows Black to gain the initiative from the start of the game.

Karr 11/15/2024, 3:07:03 AM

The Sicilian Defense is arguably the most iconic chess opening.

Starting with 1. e4 c5. It gained prominence as a response to 1. e4, the most popular first move, offering a dynamic and counterattacking opportunities for Black.

Other notable reasons why.
1. Was an aggressive counterplay
2. Had high scoring history
3. Rich Variations - Like the Dragon, Najdorf and Sveshnikov
4. Enduring popularity - From beginners to Grand Masters

Hunter 11/14/2024, 6:15:25 PM

My favourite is the famous fool's mate ofcrs I m not a master but I managed to break some hearts with it, especially with the blacks

If you want a fast lightning 2 moves check mate follow thise moves bellow

White’s Mistake: 1. g4 (moving the pawn in front of the king’s knight two spaces forward)
Black’s Response: 1… e5 (moving the pawn in front of the king two spaces forward)
White’s Second Mistake: 2. g4 (again moving the pawn in front of the king’s knight two spaces forward)
Checkmate: 2… Qh4# (Black’s queen attacks White’s king, which has no escape)

Deleted user 11/12/2024, 2:52:23 AM

c4

English Opening

It’s the classic move I’ve always identified with, ever since I first played chess a long time ago. With this move, I can quickly develop some pieces and bring the queen into the game after a few more moves.

yan57436 11/8/2024, 1:01:26 PM

The Ruy Lopez Overture or Spanish Overture is one of the most classic in the game, even used by Magnus Calsen. But who was Ruy Lopez? He was a 16th century Spanish priest who published a book on chess in 1561. I really like this opening because it's a combination of rapid piece development and constant pressure in the center of the board.

e4 e5
Nf3 Nc6
Bc4

Sturmer 11/11/2024, 12:01:31 PM

d4

Also known as Queen's Pawn Opening.

I pick it for 2 reasons:
1. Queen Gambit to secure the center. If Gambet is not taken, you can safely build a castle and have time to bring all the pieces into play.
2. it's less punishing compared to let's say E4.

Ford JamesMod11/11/2024, 11:18:18 AM

Sturmer

Hey Sturmer, could you do me a favour and just include a screenshot of the opening in your submission so I can award it please? This is mentioned in the bounty description, mostly to help folks who are new to chess!

Sturmer 11/11/2024, 12:02:55 PM

Ford James

Oh, sorry. Yeah, I was unable to add a picture from my phone and then forgot to try again from a desktop. Now, I have fixed my post. Thanks!

Alex SinclairMod11/8/2024, 11:04:34 AM

If you ever want to sound smart by name-dropping chess openings you don't know, combine the name of a Russian author and a wrestling move, such as The Dostoevsky Chokehold or The Bulgakov Clutch

Y0EMINENCE 12/25/2024, 4:23:07 PM

The Ruy Lopez, or Spanish Opening, begins with:

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bb5

Named for Ruy López de Segura, a 16th-century Spanish bishop, it's one of chess's oldest and most scrutinized openings:

Central Control: e4 asserts White's claim to the center.

Piece Development: Nf3 and Bb5 move pieces actively, targeting Black's knight.

Versatility: Offers variations like the Morphy (3...a6), Berlin (3...Nf6), and Closed Defenses (3...Bc5), leading to diverse strategies.

Its complexity and the depth of strategic play it invites have made it a staple in chess, beloved by players of all skill levels.

Hisoka213 1/8/2025, 5:33:31 PM

My Favorite Chess Opening: The Ruy-Lopez

The Ruy-Lopez, also known as the Spanish Opening, is my favorite chess opening. It begins with the moves:

e4 e5
Nf3 Nc6
Bb5

This opening has stood the test of time, being favored by grandmasters for its versatility and depth. Here's why it’s my go-to opening:

Why I Love It

The Ruy-Lopez is elegant yet aggressive, enabling a strategic buildup while maintaining flexibility. It allows White to pressure Black early, develop pieces harmoniously, and aim for control of the center. The opening suits my style of play, which emphasizes strong positional foundations and the ability to transition into a tactical middle game when opportunities arise.

Style of Play It Enables

The Ruy-Lopez supports a positional and strategic approach while leaving room for sharp tactics. It encourages patient maneuvering, pawn structure manipulation, and the potential for a dynamic kingside attack. Black often faces long-term pressure, especially against weaknesses like the pawn on e5.

How It Works

The key idea is to put indirect pressure on Black's e5 pawn by targeting the defender (the knight on c6). After castling, White typically prepares moves like c3 and d4, aiming to dominate the center while activating their pieces. Variations such as the Closed Ruy-Lopez or the Open Defense provide plenty of rich possibilities for exploration.

bigdaniel75 1/9/2025, 1:25:28 PM

Whenever I play chess, I use the Italian Game, which is considered one of the best openings for White. It starts with the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, which allows White to control the center and develop the bishop. The Italian Game offers several advantages, including a strong pawn structure, rapid piece development, and the potential for a powerful attack on the kingside. It offers flexibility and the ability to seize the initiative.

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