B20–B99

Sicilian Defense

Black's most popular, most combative answer to 1.e4.

C60–C99

Ruy Lopez (Spanish)

The classical battle for the centre after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5.

C50–C54

Italian Game

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 — fast development and early pressure on f7.

C00–C19

French Defense

Solid and strategic: 1.e4 e6, ceding space to strike back at the centre.

B10–B19

Caro-Kann Defense

Rock-solid answer to 1.e4 with 1...c6.

D06–D69

Queen's Gambit

1.d4 d5 2.c4 — the classic fight for the centre with a pawn offer.

E60–E99

King's Indian Defense

Hypermodern counterattack: let White build the centre, then storm it.

E20–E59

Nimzo-Indian Defense

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 — pin the knight, fight for control.

A10–A39

English Opening

1.c4 — flexible, fianchetto-friendly control of the centre.

D30–D69

Queen's Gambit Declined

The classical, ultra-solid way to meet the Queen's Gambit.

D10–D19

Slav Defense

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 — defend d5 without locking in the bishop.

D70–D99

Grünfeld Defense

Hypermodern dynamite: give White a big centre, then chop it down.

E00–E09

Catalan Opening

Queen's Gambit meets a fianchetto — long-term squeeze on the light squares.

D02

London System

A reliable, easy-to-learn 1.d4 setup with Bf4.

C45

Scotch Game

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 — open the centre immediately.

C25–C29

Vienna Game

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 — flexible development with f4 ideas.

C30–C39

King's Gambit

1.e4 e5 2.f4 — romantic chess, sacrifice for attack.

C42–C43

Petrov (Russian) Defense

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 — symmetry and rock-solid equality.

A80–A99

Dutch Defense

1.d4 f5 — fight for e4 and the kingside.

A56–A79

Benoni Defense

Asymmetrical counterplay against 1.d4 with ...c5 and ...e6.

B07–B09

Pirc Defense

Hypermodern flexibility: 1.e4 d6 and a kingside fianchetto.

B01

Scandinavian Defense

1.e4 d5 — challenge the centre on move one.

B02–B05

Alekhine's Defense

1.e4 Nf6 — provoke White's pawns forward, then attack them.

A04–A09

Réti Opening

1.Nf3 with a fianchetto — hypermodern control from afar.

B06

Modern Defense

Fianchetto first, commit later — maximum flexibility for Black.

A07–A08

King's Indian Attack

A reversed King's Indian setup White can play against almost anything.