Black’s strategy is then further enhanced by placing a fianchettoed bishop on g7 which can potentially heap immense pressure on white’s queenside. The Benko Gambit is a rather unique response to 1.d4 where black wants to sacrifice a pawn in the hope to obtain lasting pressure–through active pieces and open files on the queen-side. The Benko Gambit, also known as the Volga Gambit or the Volga-Benko Gambit (named after Pal Benko and the Volga River), is a gambit opening from black’s perspective. Benko Gambitġ.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 Benko Gambit Basic Theory the Sicilian Defense is a very aggressive opening. Ironically though, in many cases the use of the word “defense” can be quite misleading, I.e. Note: When the word “defense” appears in the name of an opening, such as Alekhine’s Defense, it usually refers to a choice of opening by black.

However, if you fail to properly execute your strategy, your opponent will enjoy a strong centre and your position will be cramped. You might even get an advantage if your inexperienced opponent is tempted to make too many pawn moves. Since white’s options are limited against Alekhine’s Defense you can force your opponent to play the opening on your terms. White doesn’t play 4.c4 and, instead, supports the centre with 4.Nf3. In the Alekhine Defense Modern Variation white takes a more cautious approach. However, if white manages to effectively support their central pawns, white will enjoy a strong advantage in the center.Ī common variation in the Alekhine Defense Opening is The Modern Variation. Black then intends to attack and undermine white’s central pawns. Black dares white to grab space in the center with the moves 2.e5 Nd5 3.c4. The opening is named after Alexander Alekhine, the fourth world champion, who played it in two of his games in a tournament in Budapest, 1921.Īlekhine’s Defense is a hypermodern opening from black’s perspective. Many of them are named after places, famous chess players or a chess piece that features prominently in the opening. Supplementary Reading: 13 Types of Chess Openings (link) List of 42 Popular Chess Openings (And Variations)įor easy reference, the chess openings below are listed in alphabetical order.

I scrutinized a large chess openings database and identified the popular openings that you are most likely to face in your own games.

However, it would certainly be helpful if you could, at least, be familiar with the names and basic ideas of the most popular openings. There are literally thousands of chess openings and variations that exist and for most people it makes no sense to try to learn all these openings.

All chess pieces names and moves