Chess Opening Basics: The King’s Indian Attack
What is the King’s Indian Attack? The King’s Indian Attack (sometimes shortened to ‘KIA’ in chess literature) is an opening for White in which the first player utilises a popular black defense, but with an extra move. The King’s Indian Defense typically arises after the moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 The […]
Chess Opening Basics: The Classical Sicilian
What is the Classical Sicilian? The Classical Sicilian arises after the moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 It is also possible to switch the moves around with 2…Nc6 and 5…d6. The Classical Sicilian As the name suggests, Black wants to develop the minor pieces in classical fashion rather than spend […]
Chess Opening Basics: The Scotch Game
What is the Scotch Game? The Scotch Game is an alternative for White instead of the Ruy Lopez (or Spanish Game) or the Italian Game. The Scotch Game arises after: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 The Scotch Game A Short History of the Scotch Game 3.Bb5 would be the Ruy Lopez and 3.Bc4 leads to […]
Chess Opening Basics: The Pirc Defense
What is the Pirc Defense? The Pirc Defense is an opening for Black against 1.e4, in which the second player allows White to build a strong centre in the hope of breaking it down later. Black has to accept a spatial inferiority, at least in the initial phase of the game, but the position holds […]
Chess Opening Basics: Sicilian Najdorf, Poisoned Pawn Variation
What is the Poisoned Pawn Variation of the Najdorf Sicilian? The Poisoned Pawn Variation is one of the sharpest and most heavily analyzed chess opening lines of all. It has stood the test of time and is regarded as one of Black’s best and most reliable ways of playing the Najdorf Sicilian. However, players on both […]
Chess Opening Basics: The Sicilian Wing Gambit
What is the Sicilian Wing Gambit? The Sicilian Wing Gambit is a very early attempt to disrupt Black’s standard play in the Sicilian Defense, by playing 1.e4 c5 2.b4. The Sicilian Wing Gambit Black is certainly not going to be able to rattle out 20 or moves of theory in the Dragon or Najdorf variations […]