Opening Principles
Chess opening principles on real positions: claim the centre with a pawn, bring each piece out with a purpose, and answer a check with a move that develops.
Chess Moment · Openings
Chess openings, one plan at a time
The opening school from the Chess Moment app, grouped by opening. Every lesson walks real positions step by step: the idea behind the moves, the reply to expect, and what goes wrong if you play something else.
The openings
Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
The Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) on real positions: castle before the centre opens, guard e4 without the fork trick, and prepare d4 with c3.
London System
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4
The London System (1.d4 and an early Bf4) on real positions: the bishop out before e3, the replies that test it, and when the Bxh7+ sacrifice really works.
Caro-Kann Defence
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5
The Caro-Kann Defence (1.e4 c6) for Black, on real positions: the light-squared bishop out before …e6, and …c5 against the base of the Advance chain.
Queen’s Gambit
1.d4 d5 2.c4
The Queen’s Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4) on real positions: why …dxc4 cannot keep the pawn, and how Bg5 pins the knight that guards d5 without grabbing too soon.
Sicilian Defence
1.e4 c5
The Sicilian Defence (1.e4 c5) for Black, on real positions: trade the c-pawn for White’s d-pawn, then put a rook on the half-open c-file and aim it at c3.
Ruy Lopez
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5) on real positions: Re1 turns Bxc6 and Nxe5 into a real threat, and the knight travels d2–f1–g3 to the kingside.