Ponziani Opening
The Rousseau Gambit
Sicilian Defense – Closed variation
The Benko Gambit
The Sicilian Defence
The Czech Pirc
General Hints and Tips
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Ruy Lopez Opening
The Ruy Lopez, named after a Spanish priest, is a strong opening against Black’s 1……e5 it gives White better chances of securing an advantage than some other lines.
Here are the first few moves, just to get you started.
Guioco Piano
The key to getting a good position from the opening is to control the centre, many games will begin with White playing e4 as an opening move. The Italian game or Guioco Piano, takes a clear aim at the f7 pawn and can be a dangerous opening for Black to defend.
D4 LONDON SYSTEM
There are so many options for Black against E4:-
E5 – King Pawn / E6 – French / C5 – Sicilian / Nf6 – Alekhine
Nc6 – Nimzovitch / G6 – Modern / D5 – Scandinavian
D6 – Pirc / C6 – Caro Kann / B4 – Owens / G7 Kings Indian etc. which could cause you trouble if you don’t know how to reply.
But with the London System you can develop your opening as White without having to worry too much about what Black is doing.
d4 – Nf3 – Bf4 – e3 – c3 – Nd2 – Bd3 – Qc2 - O-O (O-O-O)
This is typical of Whites position to aim for after 9 moves. Once the Rooks are connected, the opening is more or less completed.
It’s not a sharp opening, but it’s good against most of Blacks replies.
The dark square Bishop gets into the game early, minor pieces are well developed.
You have control of the centre, it’s a solid build and it’s hard for Black to get centre play
Castle either side
Remember, it’s not how many pieces you have, it’s how many pieces are active.
Thinking Process
What’s my Best Move – should I Attack or Defend? – What’s my Opponent thinking? Have I any Tactics and Ideas? - Who has unprotected pieces?
Where are my Strengths – Weakness’ - Opportunities - Threats?
Remember COT
C – Centre control
O – Rooks belong on Open files
T – Targets