Chess Stack Exchange
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Questions tagged [opening]

Questions relating to the initial moves of the game and their aims

The opening is the first phase of a game of chess. The term can refer to the sequence of initial moves by either side, white or black. Typically, starting moves that have become well-established according to practice by professional chess players are referred to as ''book moves.''

Additional information:

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What is the worst opening move, and why?

Grouping of initial moves of a chess game are well known, though I've never seen analysis of the worst possible opening move, any thoughts? If so, please provide more than just a move, but the exact reason why such a move would be the worst assuming…
blunders
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What openings are good for the repertoire of a tactical player?

I'm preparing an opening repertoire for a small "open tournament" that will take place in a few weeks. I think I'm quite decent at tactical play, and I like situations that give me the initiative - that is, attacking; or counterattacking when my…
javatutorial
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How do chess openings work?

A recent question by xaisoft got me thinking about a problem I had as a novice player. When I first started to play chess, I thought that the moves in an opening were independent of the moves made by the other side. For example, so long as white…
Robert Kaucher
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Can anyone tell me name of this opening where knight is sacrificed?

Is there any way to take knight and save rook at same time? Please do tell name, so I can search on YouTube. [FEN ""] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6 3. Nxe5 fxe5 4. Qh5+
Anubhav Goel
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What are good openings to study to get more experienced players out of their comfort zone?

Sometimes I end up getting the opportunity to play a friendly game with someone who has played a lot more chess than I have; these games seem more fun and interesting for everyone (and I seem to end up with a better chance of winning) when I can…
Brett
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How do chess openings officially get recognized?

With so many combinations of moves possible, how do openings get recognized? For example, what is to prevent me from playing a series of moves and declaring it the xaisoft gambit or xaisoft heart-attack? What organization officially recognizes…
xaisoft
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Is 1...d5 ever a bad move?

I notice that as Black, I virtually always play d5 as my first move. It's usually in response to 1. e4 (Scandinavian Defense) or 1. d4 (Queen's Pawn Game). As a hypothetical, if I premoved 1... d5, what is the worst that could happen? Are there any…
Steve Bennett
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Early-game Principles

I am a novice player who is trying to brush up on the core principles for successful chess. Instead of focusing on specific openings in the beginnings of a game, I am trying to play to certain principles, namely: Control of the centre by a…
theringostarrs
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How to play against the Polish opening?

1. b4 It seems like that black can some how equalize. Despite this, I somehow get tricked and lose my games against this opening.
CognisMantis
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Is it okay to use Scholars mate against strong players?

I am comfortable using scholars mate opening in my game. If it does not work then I can always transform it into a good offense/defense.
guess
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Exchanging on d5 in queen's gambit like openings

I'm ~2170 rated but having avoided d4 d5 type setups my entire chess career, as some things are quite mysterious to me. In positions where white has pawns on d4 and c4 and black has one on d5 (typically accompanied by some on c6 or e6, or both),…
CognisMantis
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Why Are Openings Named After Countries?

This has been bothering me from when I was little. Why are openings most commonly named after a country? For example: Sicilian, Scotch, Spanish, etc...
nishantc1527
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Why 2.d5 is much less common than other responses to the Mikenas Defense(1.d4 Nc6)?

I recently came across 1.d4 Nc6 while playing a game and I was immediatly tempted to play 2.d5, and so I did it, then my opponent continued the game with Ne5. After the game I went to an online database to check some reference on this opening, I…
Vinícius Figueiredo
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Opening books, theory on Maroczy Bind

I am just asking if there is any book that cover specifically on the Maroczy Bind structure, which can arise from Sicilian Accelerated Dragon [FEN "rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1"] 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4…
Brass2010
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How to play against the Grob attack 1.g4

I am looking for resources/ideas (i.e. ECO doesn't seem to have a lot on this opening) to play against the Grob attack. (Both for facing it and to prepare to play it as White). So far what I have seen is very tactical, but I am looking for…
Fernando Gonzalez Sanchez
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