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Chess Openings

The number of opening analysis sites on the web is growing daily. While many offer only scant coverage of opening lines, some offer the best and most current analysis available anywhere in print. Ultimately, you will want to buy a book or do library research to learn more about the lines that interest you most. But before you invest, why not explore?

Articles and Analysis

The Kibitzer, by Tim Harding
Probably the first and best major opening articles on the web were Harding's "Kibitzer" columns, archived at Chess Cafe and at his own Chess Mail site. The Kibitzer is great for when you have time to print out an article and play over the games with a board, and Harding has covered a wide range of interesting openings over the years with sharp analysis supported by excellent research.

Opening Lanes by Gary Lane
Lane's excellent monthly column at Chess Cafe features answers to reader's questions about opening theory and much more. You can find an archive of articles at the Chess Cafe site.

The Gambit Cartel, By Tim McGrew
An excellent column for master players and below, featuring wild gambit openings (occasionally unsound). Worth reading every month. See the archive of articles at the Chess Cafe site.

Opening Theory Archive by Jeremy Silman
Some excellent articles on a number of opening topics, some in response to reader's questions and some as regular opening articles.

Bits & Pieces by Andrew Martin
A series of excellent articles that, I suppose, make up the bits and pieces of a repertoire. He also did several independent and equally excellent pieces at Chessville under the Bits & Pieces name as well as at the defunct InternetChess site.

Hard Chess, by Mark Morss
Focused on correspondence chess and openings, Moss's articles feature some of the deepest opening analysis on the web.

La Novedad Teórica del Día, by GM Juan Sebastián Morgado
Excellent games and analysis in Spanish, from the Ajedrez-de-Estilo website.

Chess Siberia, Openings Clubs by Boris Schipkov
Annotated games by opening, covering a wide range of theory.

Instructions by IM Guillermo Rey
An excellent series of articles from the now defunct Inside Chess website.

Chess Openings Handouts by the Exeter Chess Club
A superb collection of materials covering the openings for beginner to club players. See also their Alternate Contents Page organized by opening.

Opening Technical Articles from the Barnet Chess Club
An excellent set of articles, several cited below, including the Nimzo-Indian Rubinstein, the King's Indian Saemisch, Queen's Gambit Declined, Benko Gambit, Sveshnikov Sicilian, and others.

Openings for Amateurs by Pete Tamburro
Well-known for his Chess.fm lectures and his excellent forum, Pete Tamburro has been writing on the opening for some time as these articles on the Colle, Nimzo-Indian, BDG, Owen, and Max Lange attest.

Mjae
French site featuring a wide range of opening articles of generally excellent quality. Check it out, or see the direct links below.

Aperturas at Hechiceros
This site may not load in Netscape, so try Internet Explorer instead. Lists a number of opening articles in Spanish.

Gambits Gratis!
A collection of comprehensive database trees of several gambit lines. Very useful materials (most cited below).

Scid Daily Opening Reports
Offers a useful utility and other materials. But the best things here, if you scroll down, are the opening reports and stats. Very useful (many cited below).

Gambit Corner by Bertrand Weegenaar at IECG
Some interesting articles and games, complete with PGNs.

Gambit Chess
Offers links to games and analysis featuring the classic gambits. Also organizes thematic tournaments on the web. Features an excellent links page.

Chess Kamikaze
The name says it all. You get some really crazy gambits here. No longer on the web, but some of the pages are in the archive.

FM David Levin Chess
See the Opening Analysis section of the site for excellent articles on specific lines in the KID and Alekhine's, among others.

Chess City Magazine (Openings)
Contains interesting games and analysis in offbeat and gambit lines. A bit of a clunky interface, but tons of good content if you look for it.

Unorthodox Openings by Eric Schiller
Brief analysis of a huge number of unusual lines (from the archives).

Kaissiber by Stefan Buecker
Features interesting analysis. In German.

Enciclopedia Dei Gambetti
A lost Italian site that has lots of older analysis of gambit lines.

Theory from Hellas Chess Club
A lost Greek site that had some useful theory on Open, Semi-open, and Closed lines.

Colaboradores by Alejandro Di Battista
Very well annotated recent games with reflection on the openings. In Spanish.

A Survey of the Openings
Part of the Chess Corner web site, offering a good introduction to the major openings for beginners. Some openings include sample games and book recommendations.

Mike Donnelly
Dr. Donnelly's site serves as a collectioin point for correspondence players to publish their PGN files, many of which offer very useful commentary on the openings in question. Go through his archive and download away.

Chess Publishing
A pay site but with some free content in the "Guests" area. The site is not well designed for usability (especially considering it's a pay site) but it has excellent GM commentary.

Chess Megapage Openings
Some very good analysis of several important openings. I've discovered recently, though, that the site now requires a login, but I can't figure out how to register.

Rajmund Emanuel
Some detailed analysis of gambit lines.

Chess Openings by Adam Bozon
Discusses some very unorthodox lines that might be worth a try in speed chess.

Ace Chess Openings by Nick Cummings
Geared toward the beginning club player, recommending gambit openings and the rather strange (if original) Gibbens Gambit 1.d4 Nf6 2.g4?!! Nxg4 3.e4 with space and initiative.

Chess Openings: The Diagrams by Edwin Schoen

Sudbury Chess Club
See their pages on openings, with java viewer.

ChessDatabase
This site offers to annotate your game with others from their database, which might be a useful way of studying the opening.

Opening Traps
A collection of PGN files in various openings.

Overviews and Choosing a Repertoire

How to Improve Your Chess: Openings by Ignacio Marin
Some opinionated advice on choosing an opening repertoire. From the archive.

Repertoire Suggestions by IM Andrew Martin at Chess Publishing
This is a great set of recommendations for serious, busy, creative, or crazy players. Each recommendation comes with book suggestions and a PGN file to download.

Repertoire Suggestions by GM Nigel Davies at Chess Publishing
Though not as useful as Martin's suggestions, these recommendations at least are safer.

10 Rules for the Opening from the Exeter Chess Club

Cool Tips from the Exeter Chess Club
More tips on all parts of the game, including the opening.

Choosing an Opening Repertoire from the Exeter Chess Club
The Exeter Chess Club offers advice and ideas.

Playing to Win with Your Defense by Randy Bauer
Excellent advice on shaping your repertoire and preparing for tournament play.

The Opening from the Northgate Chess Club
A nice listing of the basic opening rules.

Opening Exploration Utility
A great online database from Chessgames.com, lets you explore the openings move by move.

Chess Strategy by Frank Marshall and J.C.H. Macbeth
An excerpt from Marshall's classic Chess Step by Step, with focus on the opening. The materials are out of copyright.

Bizarre Variations by Ignacio Marin
Discusses legitimate ways of reaching crazy positions from the opening.

How to Learn an Opening by S. Evan Kreider
An interesting text-based article of advice from Chessville.

An Opening Repertoire for Attacking Players
Of course, if you want to study openings you will eventually want to purchase some books just to save yourself time sorting through all of the lines on your own. But there is so much good opening information on the web that it is possible for club players to develop a pretty good opening repertoire simply by reading through the articles that interest them and supplementing with some games for closer study and analysis on their own. And for anybody looking to try a wild or gambit line at your next tournament or skittles game, the web offers more than enough information to get started. Below I offer a basic opening repertoire for the attacking player who doesn't mind sacrificing a pawn now and then. I have tried to be as complete as possible on the areas that interest me, but this is necessarily a rather selective repertoire. For advice on finding information on other openings that interest you, see my section on Searching the Web for Chess.

 

e-Pawn Openings (1.e4 ...)

Alekhine's Defense (1.e4 Nf6)

Alekhine's Defense: Mokele Mbembe Variation by Bill Wall
Some games and analysis concerning 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ne4!?

Alekhine's Defense: The Retreat Variation by Bill Wall
Games and analysis concerning 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Ng8?!

Alekhine's Game of the Week
A site devoted to Alekhine's Defense.

Alekhine's Defense
Analysis of the line 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.Nc3 Nxc3 with PGN games appended. See also Sidelines in the Alekhine's Defense.

Tal-Eversole, National Open USA 1988 by Brian Wall
This game begins 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.Nc3 Nxc3 4.bxc3 d5 5.Ba3 Bf5!? with additional games in the opening.

Opening Lanes #57 by Gary Lane
Discusses 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.Bb5!?

FM David Levin Chess features some interesting Alekhine analysis, including the main line Nf3, ....g5 in the Four Pawns Attack and a gambit line against 3.Nc3 e6 4.Nxd5 exd5 5.Qf3 with 5....Nc6.

Alekhine's Defense, Four Pawns Attack by Jeremy Silman
Discusses the idea of ....g5 in the Four Pawns.

Djurhuus-Agdestein, Stikkamp 2000
A wild Four Pawns attack, where Black sacs the exchange but gets play against White's King in the center.

Alekhine's Defense by Nick Merticas from the Hellas Chess Club
Useful theory on the Four Pawns Attack, but from 1996 (in the archives).

Alekhine's Defense from Chess Corner

Alekhine's Defense PGN from Pitt Archives

La Defensa Alekhine by Mario Valverde
At Hechiceros, with fully annotated PGN to download at the bottom of the page.

Neue Aufforderung zum Tanz Auf dem Vulkan by Stefan Bucker
Analyzes a line in the Alekhine's (commonly thought to be strong for White) as playable for Black.

Bishop's Opening / Urusov Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4)

For links to the Bishop's Opening or Urusov Gambit, consult the appropriate links pages elsewhere in this site.

Le Gambit Boden-Kieseritzky from Mjae
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.Nf3!? Nxe4 4.Nc3

Belgrade Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nd5)
An interesting gambit line arising out of the supposedly boring Scotch Four Knights.

Belgrade Gambit and Other Knightmares
Bruce Monson's excellent coverage of this interesting gambit opening is no more (though you can get a sense of what it looked like from the Web Archive link above)!

Blackburne Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4?!)
Basically, this is an opening trap, and one which has gotten so much coverage on the internet that it would be hard to find someone to fall for it...

Blackburne Gambit 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4?!

Blackburne Shilling Gambit by Bill Wall

Blackburne's Shilling Gambit by Paul Valle
Some unusual analysis and history here that adds another dimension to this gambit idea. Scroll down the page to find it. From the archives.

Blackburne Gambit by Tim McGrew
A Gambit Cartel article showcasing a reader's games with the "gambit." He also had a follow-up article.

Jeremy Silman also has a note about the Blackburne.

Caro-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5)
The easiest way to attack the Caro-Kann is with the Advance Variation 3.e5. But the main lines with 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 also lead to some fun for White, especially if Black chooses the passive 4....Nd7. Gambiteers may also enjoy the idea of transposing to the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit with 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3!? Other attacking schemes arise from the exchange variation.

The Apocalypse Attack by Michael Goeller
Meeting the Caro with 1.e4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.Ne5!?

B12: Caro-Kann Defense, Advance Variation Part One (Theory) and Part Two (Training) by Sasa Velickovic
A wonderful excerpt from the Informant series on this important line.

Shirov-Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2003, Advance Variation 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3.

Kasparov-Karpov, Linares 2001 annotated by Lubomir Ftacnik
A Kasparov innovation in the Nc3 Advanced.

Loc-Dikmen, Correspondence 2003 (Download ZIP PGN file), annotated by Loc
An interesting game to download direct from Mike Donnely's site, featuring the moves 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 Qb6 5.Bd3!?

Caro-Kann Advance Variation by Craig Sadler
A useful table of games and moves.

Bits and Pieces Opening Forum by IM Andrew Martin
A very interesting analysis of the Advanced variation with 4.Ne2!? See also the Response follow-up.

Caro-Kann Advance Variation from Pitt

Tal-Botvinnik, WC Match 1961 annotated by Eric Schiller
Discusses Botvinnik's idea of meeting the advance variation with an immediate 3...c5!?

B17: Caro-Kann Defense. 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Ng5.

The Refutation of the 4....Nd7 Caro-Kann? by Andrew Martin
Analyzes the game Ganguly-Speelman, Gibraltar Masters 2004.

Anand-Bologan, Dortmund 2003 annotated by Anand
Features 4....Nd7 5.Ng5, annotated in Informator style (scroll down the page to find the game).

Anand-Bologan, Dortmund 2003 annotated by Boris Schipkov

Opening Lanes #66 by Gary Lane
Discusses the interesting idea 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Bg5!? with an obvious threat and, if Black spots it, a plan of rapid queenside castling.

Strictly for Amateurs: Crushing the Caro-Kann by Bobby Ang
Analyzes the interesting line 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3 Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.N1e2!? in a game lost by Miles as Black.

The Caro-Kan as Black
Covers the Bf5 line. Beware of annoying pop-up ads.

Reti-Tartakower, Vienna 1910
Starts 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Qd3!?

Le variante Spielmann de la Caro-Kann from Mjae
Analyzes the interesting idea of 2.Nc3 and 3.Qf3!?

Morozevich-Bologan, Sochi 2004 annotated by Boris Schipkov
A wonderful attacking game for White featuring the unusual system 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3!?

Caro-Gambit with f3 by Rajmund
Covers the 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3!? gambit, which seems an improved version of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.

Canning the Caro, The Milner Barry Gambit, Part One and Part Two by Tim Mcgrew
Covers the 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.f3!? gambit originated by British GM Milner-Barry.

Three Traps in the Caro-Kann by Georgi Orlov

Panov Attack: Fianchetto Variation by Eric Schiller

An Unusual Weapon Against the Caro-Kann by Andrew Martin
Actually, this is pretty much the usual stuff of repertoire books: the Panov-Botvinnik Attack with c5. See Part One, Part Two and Part Three.

Amendment Caro-Kann by Rajmund Emanuel
Covers 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c3, which was used by Fischer and others.

Center Game (1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4)
Very few players as Black are prepared for the Center Game, since it is vastly underestimated by theory.

The Center Game Takes Center Stage by Tim Harding
Discusses the old-fashioned Center Game with 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qe3.

Who Was Winawer? by Tim Harding
An excellent article that focuses on Winawer's numerous opening ideas. If you scroll down you will find the game Winawer-Steinitz, Nuremburg 1896 well annotated, featuring a pawn-sac in the Center Game by White.

McCrum-Roth, Ulster Ch. 1893 annotated by McCrum
A blast from the past featuring a Center Game success.

Levi-Zhao Zong Yuan, Australia 1999 annotated by John-Paul Wallace
Scroll down for this interesting Black victory in the Center Game.

Mittelgambit
A comprehensive analysis.

Opening Lanes #08 by Gary Lane
Discusses, among other things, playing the Center Game with 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qa4!?

Damiano Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6?!)
Yes, believe it or not, there are even some articles on this silly line. White can choose between the complicated 3.Nxe5! or the simple and good 3.Bc4. But why are you playing 2.Nf3 anyway when you can play 2.Bc4 in the first place? :-)

The Tactics of Mistake and Life on the Edge by Tim McGrew
About making the Damiano work for you after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f6?!

Extraordinary Accidents by IM Nikolay Minev
Discusses the game Schiffers-Chigorin, St. Petersburg 1897.

Danish Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.d4)
If you get serious about the Danish, you have to get the book Danish Dynamite.

Skandinavisches Gambit and Goering
A comprehensive analysis.

Danish Pastry and Steinitz for the Defense by Tim McGrew
Uses the publication of Müller and Voigt's excellent book Danish Dynamite to discuss some games with the Goring and Danish.

Charousek-Wolner, Kassa 1893 annotated by Tim McGrew
A Danish Gambit with a great finish.

The Danish from AceChess

Elephant Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5)

We're Going on an Elephant Hunt (Kibitzer #15) by Tim Harding
Covers the line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5.

Elephant Gambit
A comprehensive database tree / opening report.

La Difesa Cozio by Giorgio Cadezza
Discusses the history and theory of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5.

The Elephant Walk

Evans Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4!?)

The Search for Truth in the Evans Gambit and Chigorin's Experience with the Evans Gambit by Tim Harding
These articles feature Harding's typically excellent historical research combined with excellent opening analysis.

Evans Gambit
This site offers the scores of some significant and historical games, but it also includes a link to games you can play online.

Evans Gambit Part One, Part Two, and Redux by Larry Christiansen and Jeremy Silman
An excellent series of articles on the recent wave of interest in this line and the critical variations.

Short-Svidler, Internet Grand Prix 2000
A game featuring Kasparov's line against 5....Be7, annotated by Sakaev.

Evans Gambit
A comprehensive analysis and statistical summary.

Welcome to the Evans Gambit by Thomas Stock
Offers fairly good coverage of the main lines of the gambit, including history and bibliography sections.

Evans Gambit
Part of the Chess Corner Opening Survey, offering many full games. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to view 50 Accepted and 50 Declined games.

Evans Gambit from the Hellas Chess Club
Older analysis (pre-Kasparov) but useful for club players, from the archives.

Le Gambit Evans from Mjae

Evans Gambit from the Openings Club website
Modestly useful content, but annoying pop-up ads.

French Defense (1.e4 e6)

Notes on the French Two Knights by Michael Goeller
1.e4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Nf3

French Defense for Beginners from the Exeter Chess Club
A good overview for beginners to club players.

French Defense - Advance Variation
Brief but useful analysis of the key line from the Chess Megapage site.

Svidler-Volkov, Russia 2003 - annotated by Svidler
Black plays the early Qb6 and Bd7 against the Advance Variation and White discovers some wonderful sacrificial lines in a complicated middlegame. Annotated Informator style (scroll down the page to find the game).

Svidler-Volkov, Russia 2003 annotated by Boris Schipkov

New Ideas in the Advance French by Georgi Orlov
Covers 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Nh6!?

Masters of the French: Korchnoi Faces the Advance Variation by IM Guillermo Rey
From the archives: a close examination of Kupreichik-Korchnoi, Muenster Open 1996, featuring Nh6 for Black.

Mike Bateman-Andre Lorrain, 1993, annotated by Ralph Marconi
An interesting game in the Milner-Barry gambit of the Advance French.

US Open Tactics and Novelties by IM Nikolay Minev
Annotates a game with the Milner-Barry Gambit.

Ponomariev-Ivanchuk, 2001-2002 WCC Moscow annotated by Christian Gabriel for Tromso Sjakklub
The first game of the match was a French, Burn variation. You can also play over other games from this interesting match with annotations.

Ponomariev-Ivanchuk, 2001-2002 WCC Moscow annotated by Boris Schipkov Also annotated by Alejandro di Battista.

Polgar-Burkes, Budapest 2003 annotated by Schipkov

Svidler-Bareev, Corus Wijk aan Zee 2004 annotated by Schipkov
A powerful performance by White (who wins in 17 moves) in the Burn variation.

Topalov-Shirov, Leon 2001 annotated by Alejandro di Battista

Shirov-Bareev, FICE WC New Delhi 2000 annotated by Schipkov

French Defense. 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 by Georgi Orlov
Includes coverage of typical endgame positions.

A Sacrifice that Failed by Guillermo Rey
Discusses the game J. Polgar-Hernandez, Mexico 2000 in which Black makes an interesting sacrifice against the line 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nce2.

Opening Lanes #59 by Gary Lane
Focuses mostly on lines in the Classical French.

Franzosisch Systeme mit 3.Sc3 by Armin Fingerhut

Banzai! The Haldane Variation by IM Andrew Martin
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Qh5!?

Sakaev-Ulibin, Dubai 2000
Sakaev annotates his game, which begins 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e5 Nfd7 6.h4.

French - Chatard-Alekhine with Breyer's ...c5 (also in PDF)
A comprehensive reference.

Svidler-Short, Internet GP 2000
A MacCutheon annotated by Sakaev.

Bezgodov-Sakaev, Moscow 1999
A wild line after 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nce2, annotated by Sakaev.

Anand-Shirov, FIDE WCh KO Teheran 2000, annotated by Shipov
A hard-fought game following 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nce2, won by White.

Opening Lanes #08 by Gary Lane
Discusses, among other things, the French Two Knights, which usually transposes to Classical lines.

Novedad en la Francesa, Variante Winawer by Julian Moreno
The idea for White of playing h4-h5-h6 is explored.

La Francaise Winawer avec 4.Cge2, Part One and Part Two, from Mjae

Who Was Winawer? by Tim Harding
An excellent article that focuses on Winawer's numerous opening ideas.

Liebe Zum Detail by Karsten Muller
Review of a Winawer book which includes three good games and notes.

Leko-Radjabov, Linares 2003 annotated by Boris Schipkov

Lutz-Korchnoi, Essen 2002 annotated by Boris Schipkov

Terra Incognita by Tim McGrew
Focuses on the Reti Gambit with 1.e4 e6 2.b3 d5 3.Bb2!?

French Defense: Wing Gambit
Part of what appears to be a very ambitiously conceived French Defense web site that is still under construction at this writing.

French Defense: Wing Gambit
From the archives.

Diemer Duhm Gambit
After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.c4!? you get positions that are a mix of Blackmar-Diemer and Queen's Gambit. Fans of the Urusov Gambit will find these wide-open positions, sometimes with Q-side castling for White fun to play.

Le Gambit Duhm-Diemer by Sebastien Meunier
A French article on this wild line.

Alapin-Diemer Gambit
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Be3!?

Winckelmann-Reimer Gambit
A gambit response to the Winawer variation with 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 Bxc3 5.bxc3 dxe4 6.f3.

Amendment French by Rajmund Emanuel
Interesting coverage of 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.Nc3!? with the idea of 4....cxd4 5.Nb5!? The web design could use work but the analysis and games are good.

French Tarrasch from the Hellas Chess Club
Older analysis from the archives.

Opening Lanes #46 by Gary Lane
Discusses two games with the Tarrasch and one exchange variation.

Simple Chess by Guillermo Rey
Discusses the open Tarrasch French in Akopian-Shirov, Merida 2000.

An Impressive Victory by Guillermo Rey
A victory for Black in the closed Tarrasch in Benjamin-Gurevich, France 2000.

Giuoco Piano / Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4)

Giuoco Piano on Trial by Tim Harding
A great three piece article. See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

The Modern Italian Game
Good explanation of the main lines and positional themes from the Exeter web site.

Have the Giuoco's Fangs Been Pulled? by Jeremy Silman

A Shilling in the Mailbag and Readers' Showcase by Tim McGrew (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4!??)

Blackburne Gambit 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4?!

Giuoco Piano by Craig Sadler
A useful table of moves and games.

Giuoco Piano
From the Chess Corner Opening Survey. Scroll down to view 262 sample games online.

Moller Attack - Ancient
Spanish language article from Hechiceros.

Moller Attack - Modern
Spanish language article (based on Soltis analysis) from Hechiceros.

Halasz Gambit System (1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.f4 or 1.e4 c5 2.d4 exd4 3.f4)

Anatomy of a Gambit: Dissecting the Halasz by Glenn Budzinski
The seminal article on this odd line, covering history and theory. Focuses on 1.e4 e5, treating it as a King's Gambit with great attacking ideas (especially in speed chess).

The Vampire Gambit: Can we bury it now? by Tim Harding
Adds significant background on the Hungarian correspondence player who originated the line and focuses on the search for a refutation, if one exists.

Halasz Gambit from Sah Mat Lista
Very basic coverage for club players, with appended games.

il Gambetto Halasz by Giorgio Cadazza
An article in Unorthodox Openings Newsletter (see pages 9-13), featuring several well annotated games presented in systematic fashion to analyze the Sicilian version of the Halasz with 1.e4 c5 2.d4 exd4 3.f4.

Halloween Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nxe5?!?!)
One to watch out for is the Halloween Reversed in response to the Glek System: 4.g3 Nxe4!?

Halloween+Gambit Games Zipped from Giorgio Cadezza

The Halloween Attack by Steffen Jakob

The Halloween Attack in the Four Knights by Steffen Jakob

King's Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4)

Killing the King's Gambit by Ignacio Marin
From the Archive. Covers a line in the Kieseritzky Gambit.

Le Gambit de Roi 7 from /mjae
Featuring Keene's idea of 2....Qh4+

Le Gambit de Roi 10 from Mjae
Features 2....Nc6, which received favorable attention in NIC Yearbook.

The Bishop's Gambit by Tim McGrew
A good introduction to the venerable 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4!?

Le Gambit de Roi 11, Le Gambit du Fou from Mjae
Features analysis of the Bishop's Gambit 2....exf4 3.Bc4.

Morozevich-Aleksandrov, China 2000 annotated by Yasser Seirawan
A wild game featuring the typical Knight sacrifice at f3 by White rather than the Kieseritzky approach. Also annotated at Chess Cafe.

Not Quite Winning with the Allgaier Gambit and Last Rites for the Allgaier Gambit? by Tim Harding

Who's Afraid of the King's Gambit? by Eric Schiller
From the Archive. The name says it all: Black has nothing to fear if he plays carefully.

Bits and Pieces by Andrew Martin
A close discussion of one of Martin's games with the line 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 exf4 4.d4 Qh4+.

A Lazy Player's Guide to the King's Gambit with 3.Bc4
From the archive. Covers 1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Bc4.

The Ideas behind the King's Gambit
A good introduction from the Exeter Chess Club site.

King's Gambit by Thomas Johansson
Some annoying pop-up ads, but good content.

Authier-Simmelink, IECG 2000 annotated by Alain Authier
Black draws with the Wagenbach Variation -- 3....h4!?

King's Gambit games from Chess World to download

The King's Gambit from the Opening Club website
Beware the pop-up ads, but some useful analysis for club players.

Falkbeer Countergambit from Hechiceros

Falkbeer Gambit
A comprehensive analysis with statistics.

Latvian Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5!?)
The Latvian Gambit with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5!? is a great surprise weapon. If you get serious about it, you should definitely pick up Tony Kosten's The Latvian Gambit Lives, which might convince you that it really does....

Roman's Latvian Gambit page, from the Archive.

Marek's Latvian Gambit site, from the Archive.

El Gambito Leton from Hechiceros
An interesting article from Black's point of view.

Petroff's Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6)

Symmetrical Petroff by Michael Goeller
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nxe4?! is messier than you think.

Everything Petrov
Includes a forum and databases.

Petrov's Defense: Cochrane Gambit
Spanish language article from Hechiceros.

Smerdon-Solomon, Australia 1999 annotated by John-Paul Wallace
A wild game that was supposed to be a forced draw after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Bd3 d5 5.Nxe5 Nd7 6.Nxf7 but got a hell of a lot more complicated as the IM refused to yield a draw to the master.

Philidor's Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6)

Philidor Defense, Part One, by IM Attila Schneider
Good general coverage of the opening in a text-based format, with diagrams and color coding.

Philidor Defense, Part Two, by Attila Schneider

Not Exactly Opera Box by Tim McGrew
On 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Bg4!? 4.dxe5 Nd7!?

The Albin-Blackburne Gambit by Stefan Bucker
Excellent history and analysis of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Bg4!? 4.dxe5 Nd7!?

Going Fishing by Tim McGrew
On 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4!? Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 h6 6.Nf3 e4.

An Interesting Gambit in the Philidor Defense by Franco Daverio
From the defunct Thomas Stock website (preserved in the archives), suggests the crazy idea 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Qxd4 Be7!?? 5.Qxg7 Bf6 6.Qg3 Ne7 followed by Rg8 with rapid development for the pawn.

Philidor's Defense by Yiannis Goumas from the Hellas Chess Club
Useful theory for club players, from the archives.

Philidor Defense
From the archives -- a useful intro to club players.

Opening Lanes #01 by Gary Lane
Presents Motwani's refutation of the Philidor's Counter Gambit.

Philidor Lecture 3 Notes by Pete Tamburro
Tamburro presents the basic refutation of the PCG in his forum.

Pisarsky-Del Rosario, Kolty Chess Club Championship 2003
An interesting game in the 4.dxe5 line.

Filidorov Kontragambit
Analyzes the recommended line 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 f5!? 4.Nc3! (though without Motwani's ideas) and includes some games in PGN.

Paul Morphy from the Felixstowe Chess Club
Analyzes some games by Morphy with the Philidor's Counter Gambit. You can also find annotated PGNs of these games elsewhere online.

The Riddle of Bird vs. Morphy by Karsten Müller
Though this article does not discuss the opening of this famous Philidor Counter Gambit game, it does offer much interesting commentary on the famous concluding sacrificial combination.

Kobese-Van Tonder, South Africa 2002 match game
Annotated game featuring 4.Nc3 against the Philidor Counter Gambit.

Cunningham-Fuchs, Boulder Coloroda Open 2000 annotated by Mark Scheidies
An interesting amateur game with 4.Nc3.

Acosta-Gutierrez, Mendellin 1979 annotated by IM Alejandro Acosta
Annotated game featuring 4.Bc4 and poor play by Black.

Pirc Defense (1.e4 d6) and Modern (1.e4 g6)

Pirc-Ufimtsev Defense by Boris Schipkov
Annotates Luther-Gulko, Corus 2001 featuring the Austrian Attack with 5....O-O 6.Bd3 Na6.

Pirc and Modern
Some great analysis of the Austrian Attack mainly.

Heroic Tales by Hans Ree
One of the first to celebrate the game Kasparov-Topalov.

Dodgy Games with Dodgy Names by IM Andrew Martin
Article covers games with the 150 Attack and Barry Attack.

Sistema Gurgenidze from Hechiceros
1.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.Nc3 c6 4.f4 d5!? 5.e5 h5.

Thomas-Hoshor, Georgia 1997 annotated by Mark Hoshor
Features the Gurgenidze system.

The Lion
A Black defensive system with d6 and Nd7. Does not seem to have teeth.

The Bg5 System against the Pirc
Good coverage of Bg5 followed by f4 and O-O for White.

Mankiewicz-Hoshor, Midwest Masters 1997 annotated by Mark Hoshor
An interesting and well-annotated game featuring the Averbach system of the Modern Defense.

Pirc Defense: h-pawn Attack
From the archives.

Pirc by Armin Fingerhut

Pirc Defense -- Checa / Czech Variation by M.R. Martini

The Modern Defense by GM Nigel Davies

Ponziani (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3)

Opening Lanes #68 by Gary Lane
Analyzes several Ponziani lines from the Black perspective.

Opening Lanes #54 by Gary Lane
Discusses a game with 3....d5. For further discussion, see Opening Lanes #09 on 3....d5 4.Bb5 Bc5!? 5.Qe2.

Ponziani Power (Updates) by David Taylor
Additional and updated analysis, from the Gambit Chess site.

Ponziani Power by David Taylor, reviewed by Stephen Hamm
In reviewing the correspondence champ's book, Hamm provides a useful introduction and overview to this under-analyzed opening.

Le debut Ponziani by Bernard Guerin

Portuguese (1.e4 e5 2.Bb5!?)
If you think of it as playing a reversed 1.e4 e5 as White with a potentially useful tempo, the line becomes very interesting.

Winning with the Portuguese by IM Andrew Martin
From the archives. This article goes far toward making 2.Bb5!? look almost respectable.

Ruy Lopez / Spanish (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5)

Adam Bozon's Ruy Lopez page
Covers a wide range of variations.

Opening Lanes #09 by Gary Lane
Covers a line in the Classical Variation that goes 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Bc5 4.c3 d5!?

The Lopez Grip, Part 1 by IM Andrew Martin
Part of a three-part series at Chessville, this first installment features a Steinitz-like Black system to strong-point e5 and White's ways of securing long-term pressure.

The Lopez Grip, Part 3 by IM Andrew Martin
Covers an early Fischer favorite: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 b5 5.Bb3 Na5!? from the White perspective.

Murder on the Long Diagonal, by Ron Henley
Discusses the Archangel Defense, with the fianchettoed Bb7.

Jaenisch Gambit
A comprehensive analysis and statistical summary. Also called the Schliemann Coutnergambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5!?)

Schliemann / Jaenisch by Jos Heesen
Includes history and analysis of the critical lines.

Lopez Grip, Part 2: The Schliemann by Andrew Martin
Part of a series at Chessville, this article features 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5!? from White's perspective, recommending the safe 4.d3 playing for positional pressure.

Ruy Lopez, Bird's Defense by John Watson
Consider's Bird's original idea of preventing Qh5 and creating kingside play with an early ....h5!?

Has the Marshall Attack been Refuted on the Internet? by Tim Harding

Spanish Marshall: Some New Ideas to Try by Tim Harding from Chess Mail
A great collection of annotated games just chock full of innovative ideas. If you play the Marshall Gambit as either Black or White, you'll want to visit this site and pick up Harding's CD.

Marshall Counter Attack from the Hellas Chess Club
Useful analysis from the archives.

Opening Lanes #05 by Gary Lane
Covers Marshall and anti-Marshall lines.

Frank Marshall on the Marshall Attack in the Spanish edited by Eric Schiller

Capablanca-Marshall, New York 1918 by Bill Wall
The game that gave birth to the Marshall Attack/Gambit, well annotated by Bill Wall.

Strictly for Amateurs: Honing your Email Arsenal by Bobby Ang
Covers sharp lines in the Open Lopez.

Scandinavian Defense / Center Counter Defense (1.e4 d5)

The Anti-Portuguese by Michael Goeller
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.Nf3! Bg4?!

Center Counter Defense
The Chess Corner site offers good general coverage of the main lines.

Scandinavian 4...Qh5: coffeehouse bluff or serious weapon? by Schliemann Mann
A very useful forum posting on the usenet concerning the Scandinavian.

Can White Successfully Avoid the Dreaded Portuguese Attack? and Refutation of the Portuguese? by Jeremy Silman (and John Watson)
The former especially is a very smart and useful analysis of basic White strategies to avoid the dreaded Portuguese.

The Patzer Variation by Andrew Martin
Excellent coverage of the interesting idea 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qe5+!? from Black's perspective.

The Essential Centre Counter series at Chessville by IM Andrew Martin
In August 2004, in anticipation of his Center Counter book, Martin published several articles on the Scandinavian on Unusual lines , Mainline with d3, and Mainline with d4.

Scandinavian Defense by Roman
Covers 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.Bb5+ from White's point of view.

Scandinavian (also in PDF)
A comprehensive reference on 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.Bb5+ Nbd7!?

Skandinavian Defense with 2....Nf6
Written from Black's perspective, but offers some excellent analysis.

Opening Lanes #44 by Gary Lane
Covers the Icelandic Gambit with 2....Nf6 3.c4 e6!?

Opening Lanes #71 by Gary Lane
Analyzes the game Medina-Eid, Bled 2002 which begins 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.Bb5+ Bd7 4.Bc4 Bg5 5.Nf3.

Defensa Escandinava by Guillermo Soppe, Part One and Part Two
A two part Spanish-language article at Hechiceros on 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bxf3 7.Qxf3. Excellent games and analysis.

Opening Lanes #61 by Gary Lane
Discusses a game in the Tennison Gambit 1.e4 d5 2.Nf3?!

Scandinavian Defense, Tennison Gambit by Eric Schiller

Opening Lanes #55 by Gary Lane
Discusses the odd line 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.d4 Nxd5 4.c4 Nb4!? which White should not try too hard to refute.

Attacking the Center: 1.e4 d5!
A nice page from Logical Chess.

Countering the Center Counter from Cornbelt Chess

Scotch Game and Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4)

Escocesa 4....Dh4!? (Scotch 4....Qh4)
Spanish language article on Steinitz's favorite line at Hechiceros, under Aperturas. The line 4.Nxd4 Qh4 is also discussed by Gary Lane in Opening Lanes #63 and Opening Lanes #47.

Blackburne-Steinitz, London 1876 researched by Nick Pope
Steinitz tried his wild 4...Qh4 line three times in this unofficial World Championship match. The games are also annotated, with Java board, at the link below.

Blackburne-Steinitz, London 1876 annotated by Miguel Villa

Vienna-London, Correspondence 1872-1874, by Tim Harding
An interesting correspondence game featuring 4....Qh4!?

Scotch 4....Qh4 by Villy Isakson
An "opinionated but usable" survey of White's resources against 4....Qh4 and what to watch out for. From the archives.

Göring Gambit - A Return to the Romantic, by Gary Good
Discusses 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.c3 and analyzes games the author played from both sides of the opening.

Lazy Player's Guide to the Scotch Gambit
Covers the Scotch Gambit with 4.Bc4 and Max Lange, from the archives.

Bluffer's Guide to the Scotch Gambit
Looks a lot like the one above.

Time to Gamble on a Gambit by Tim Harding
A survey of many gambit lines followed by a game of the author's with the Scotch Gambit.

A Glass of Scotch and A Second Dram of the Scotch Gambit by Tim Harding

Scotch Gambit from the Tromsø Sjakklub
Good analysis of 4.Bc4 lines for club players, with Java board for web viewing.

Scotch Opening from the Hellas Chess Club
Useful theory for the club player on the Scotch Game and Gambit lines. From the archives.

Scotch by Juan Rohl
Covers the four knights stuff with 4....Nf6 5.Nc3, at Hechiceros, under Aperturas.

Kasparov-Timman, Wijk an Zee 2000 annotated by John Henderson
Features Kasparov's favorite (and therefore quite popular) 4....Nf6 5.Nxc6. Includes pictures of the players and a report on the tournament.

Perlo-Sarink, Dick Smit Memorial 2000 annotated by Perlo
Correspondence game features 4....Nf6 5.Nxc6, with Java board for web viewing.

Kasparov-Anand, WC 1995 annotated by the participants

Morozevich-Bezgodov, Tomsk 1998 annotated by Morozevich

Barnsley-Cipolli, Email Olympiad 2000 annotated

Kasparov-Karpov 1990 annotated in Russian (also available elsewhere)
Includes extensive notes on all Black alternatives.

Fritz-Kramnik, Brains in Bahrain 2002 annotated by Karsten Müller
Features 4....Bc5 5.Nxc6 Qf6 6.Qd2 dxc6, which Kramnik went on to win thanks to typically computer-like blunders.

Fritz-Kramnik, Bahrain 2002 annotated by Boris Schipkov

Remmel-van Wieringen, Dick Smit Memorial NBC Email, 2000 annotated by van Wieringen, with Java board for web viewing.
Covers 4...Bc5 5.Nxc6 Qf6 6.Qd2 Qxc6!? which is rarely played.

Opening Lanes #05 by Gary Lane
Covers 4....Bc5 5.Be3 Qf6 6.c3 Nge7 7.Qd2!?

Opening Lanes #04 by Gary Lane
Discusses 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 d6.

Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5)

Grand Prix Attack Bibliography by Michael Goeller

Playing f4 against the Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack
From the Exeter Chess Club site, makes for a good introduction to this system for beginner and club players.

Sicilian Grand Prix Attack
A game and analysis excerpt from Plaskett's book. Plaskett's book notes that the Grand Prix Attack may have been inspired by the game Saidy-Fischer, New York 1969, which Gary Lane discusses at the tail end of Opening Lanes #65.

Sicilian Defense, Grand Prix Attack with f4 and Bb5, Part One and Part Two, by Zoran Ilic
This has got to be the best analysis anywhere in print of this important positional line in the Grand Prix, where White plays Bb5 with the intention of doubling Black's c-pawns rather than the more provocative Bc4 (which is questionable against most e6 lines for Black). Be sure to see both parts. From the archives.

Opening Lanes #60 by Gary Lane
Offers a number of games with the Grand Prix Attack, focused mainly on the question of when White can play Bc4 and when not.

Opening Lanes #06: Grand Prix Crash by Gary Lane
Discusses the sharp 1.e4 c5 2.f4 e5!?

Opening Lanes #59 by Gary Lane
Discusses a game in the Closed Sicilian with Nh3 and the f5 pawn sac.

Tal Gambit Declined by Jeremy Silman
1.e4 c5 2.f4 d5! 3.e5!? is not a good idea.

Turner-Dowling, Ohio Open 2003 by David Michel
The game transposes from a Grand Prix to a Closed in response to Black's ...a6, ...b5, ...Bb7 defense.

Opening Lanes #43 by Gary Lane
Discusses the Closed Sicilian.

Smerdon-Feldman, Australia 1999 annotated by John-Paul Wallace
Scroll down to find it. A fascinating game featuring 2...Nf6 against the 2.c3 Sicilian, with great lessons in the opening, middlegame, and even the endgame.

Alapin Sicilian by IM Georgi Orlov
Covers the sharp 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 from White's perspective.

Dr. Minev and the Sicilian: Alapin Sicilian B22 by IM Nikolay Minev

Defensa Siciliana, Variante Alapin II by IM Juan Rohl
Examines the line 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 at Hechiceros.

Smerdon-Saw, Austrailia 1999 annotated by John-Paul Wallace
A brilliantly played ending by White with the isolated pawn after 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 etc.

2....Da5!? contre la variante Alapine at Mjae

Svidler-Kasparov, Tilburg 1997 annotated by Yasser Seirawan
Features 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3!? which sneakily avoids the d5 stuff.

Yuan-Berezina, Australia 1999 annotated by John-Paul Wallace
An interesting maneuvery opening with the delayed c3 Sicilian. See also Yuan-Kalashko further down, where Black sidesteps an attempt to transpose to an Advance French out of the delayed c3 Sicilian.

A Sicilian Surprise by Tim McGrew
From the Electronic Campfire columns, this article covers the delayed c3-Sicilian with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3!? as played in Svidler-Kasparov, Tilburg 1997. Also published at the defunct InternetChess site.

Unboring the c3-Sicilian
Black's perspective on 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c3 d5.

An Anti-c3 Sicilian system from the Barnet Chess Club
Recommends 2....d5 3.exd5 Qxd5.

The Smith-Morra Gambit System
Great coverage of the gambit variation of the c3 Sicilian from the Barnet Chess Club.

A Little Learning and The Power of Ideas by Tim McGrew
Two must-read articles for anyone who ever had second thoughts about their favorite gambit line. In the first, a chess coach explains to his pupil why the Smith-Morra is not as bad as its stats might suggest. In the second, a young tournament player thinks out loud during his wonderful game with the Smith-Morra.

Lutter Contre Le Gambit Morra 2 from Mjae
On the idea of e6 and Ne7-g6 for Black. Includes PGN.

Lutter Contre Le Gambit Morra 1 from Mjae
The idea of e6, a6 and b5.

The Siberian Trap in the Smith-Morra by Boris Schipkov
A warning to all Smith-Morra gambiteers: watch out for Qc7 and Ng4! with a potential mating attack.

Innovation in the Siberian Trap by Rajmund Emanuel
An amateur analyst tries to refute Black's counter-attacking scheme by playing an early Qe2 and e5.

Morra Gambit
A comprehensive analysis and statistical summary.

Sicilian b4 Gambit
A comprehensive analysis and statistical assessment.

Sicilian Wing Gambit a la Spielman by IM Nikolay Minev

Sicilian Wing Gambit
From the archives.

Combating the Sicilian Dragon by Andrew Martin
Suggests White try an unusual approach combining Bg5 and Bb5.

Sicilian Defense, Dragon Variation by Yannis Goumas, from the Hellas Chess Club site
Useful analysis of all Dragon lines (from the archives).

The Trapped Queen in the Chinese Dragon by Luiz Roberto da Costa Junior and Tim Harding from Chess Mail
A great page to play over right on the net, featuring an early ....Rb8 with the idea of ...b5 in the Dragon variation.

G. Shahade-Mezentsev, San Francisco 2000 annotated by Boris Schipkov
Features an interesting transposition to Dragon lines via the Accelerated Dragon.

Sicilian Dragon: Yugoslav Attack (B78)

Opening Lanes #41 by Gary Lane
Discusses the Yugoslav Attack.

Opening Lanes #08 by Gary Lane
Discusses, among other things, traps in the Dragon.

The Verdict on the Levenfish Attack by IM Andrew Martin
Discusses an early f4 in the Dragon.

The Sicilian Exchange Sacrifice by GM Nigel Davies

Playing Suitable Openings by GM Nigel Davies
Discusses the O'Kelley variation.

Old but Unknown Is As Good as New by Ignacio Marin
Covers the Pin Variation of the Sicilian, 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4!?

DeFirmian-Tate, NJ Open 2001 annotated by Baburin (by permission)
Features the unusual Black system with Bd7 used by Kupreichik.

The Unexplored Sicilian, Part One and Part Two by IM Andrew Martin
Discusses 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6!?

Paulsen System with Bd3 by IM Zoran Ilic
From the Archives, features White playing an early Be3 and Bd3 against Black's e6 system.

Sveshnikov's System by Hans Ree
Analyzes the game Philippe-Sveshnikov, Cap d'Agde 2003, which began 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nf3 e5 4.Bc4 Be7!?

The Sveshnikov Sicilian from the Barnet Chess Club

The Kibitzer and the Even More Complete Najdorf by Tim Harding

Opening Lanes #40 by Gary Lane
Begins by discussing the Najdorf.

Beating Judit Polgar by Ignacio Marin
Discusses the wild Qf3 variation of the Najdorf.

Omar Cartagena-Walter Browne, San Francisco 1996 annotated by Bobby Ang
A Sicilian Sozin that takes some interesting turns.

Polugaevsky Variation by Thomasollo
From the archive: analysis of the B96 Najdorf with 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 b5, called the Polugaevsky Variation. Wild stuff! Use the Web Archive to explore more of the vanished Thomasollo site, which offered more excellent theory like this (though it is not clear how much was preserved).

Is the Najdorf Poisoned Pawn Edible? by Tim Harding
Uses lots of theory and history to analyse one of the author's games. Answer: indigestion at best.

Sicilian Defense, English Attack by IM Zoran Ilic
White plays Be3, Qd2, and f3 against the Najdorf Scheviningen.

The Sicilian, Snyder Variation by Andrew Martin
Be sure to see both Part One and Part Two. The so-called Snyder variation with 1.e4 c5 2.b3!? makes for a good occasional anti-Sicilian weapon. Martin also analyzes the same opening in part of an article at Jeremy Silman's site.

Opening Lanes #71 by Gary Lane
Lane analyzes the game Short-Prasad, Mumbai 2004, which begins 1.e4 c5 2.b3 -- which a reader suggests be renamed the Short variation.

b3 Sicilian by IM Eric Tangborn

Strictly for Amateurs by Bobby Ang
A very useful discussion of the Chekhover variation with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4.

Chekhover Sicilian by Francisco Acosta Ruiz

Opening Lanes #58 by Gary Lane
Discusses the "currently popular" 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 and 4.Bb5 line.

Plaskett-Bischoff, Hastings 2001 annotated by Lubomir Ftacnik
The 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 line leads to a spectacular White attack.

A Sicilian Brillaincy by Guillermo Rey
Discusses the game Kholmov-Keres, USSR 1959, featuring 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.e5.

The Anti-Sicilians, Part One and Part Two by GM Joel Benjamin
Features the Moscow variation with 3.Bb5+.

il Gambetto Halasz by Giorgio Cadazza
An article in Unorthodox Openings Newsletter (see pages 9-13), featuring several well annotated games presented in systematic fashion to analyze the Sicilian version of the Halasz with 1.e4 c5 2.d4 exd4 3.f4.

Two Knights Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6)

Hard Chess by Mark Morss
USCF Senior Master Mark Morss has written several articles on the Two Knights Defense as part of his Hard Chess column for the Campbell Report web site. They include very extensive annotations and commentary, mainly of the author's own games. I recommend them for close study of particular lines.

A Lazy Player's Guide to the Scotch Gambit
This web site includes good coverage of the Two Knights Defense by way of transposition from the Scotch Gambit.

Ataque Max Lange by Marata Linges Dante
Spanish-language analysis from Hechiceros.

Max Lange Attack from NJSCF site by Pete Tamburro
Good introduction to the main lines for amateur players.

Interesting Byways in the Classic Open Games by Tim Harding
A useful discussion of the literature on the Modern Two Knights.

The Scotch Gambit from Tromso Sjakklubb
Good analysis for club players.

The Modern Horowitz Variation of the Max Lange Attack by Michael Goeller
Discusses an old variation of the Max Lange used by Fahrni and analyzed by Horowitz.

Max Zavanelli and the Sleeping Beauty by Victor Palciauskas.
This is a fascinating game in the Max Lange annotated by Max Zavanelli himself, with Palciaskas's introduction. Worth playing over. Also available from Palciauskas's web site.

Max Lange Attack by Pete Tamburro

Exeter Chess Club Opening Handouts on the Two Knights Defense
Covers the Two Knights from the Black perspective, along with ways of playing against White alternatives.

C55 from the Tromso Sjakklubb
Good coverage of the Keidanz lines for the club player.

More about the Two Knights Modern by Mark Morss

"Opening Preparation" by Sunil Weeramantry, in Chess Cafe's The Chess Coach 13. Download a zip file.

Two Knights -- Amazing Counter-Attack by Tim Harding
Covers 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Nxe4!?

Two Knights Defense and a Repertoire as Black from the Exeter Chess Club
A useful overview of lines for the beginner to club player.

Defensa de los Dos Caballos from Hechiceros
Focuses on 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5.

Opening Lanes #62 by Gary Lane
Discusses 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5. For the line 6.Bb5+ c6 7.dxc6 bxc6 8.Qf3!? see Opening Lanes #02. For 6.Bb5+ Bd7!? see Opening Lanes #03.

Two Knights Defense by Tim Harding
In three parts, covering the classic 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5.
Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.

Having Fun with the Two Knights Defense by Bobby Ang
Some really spectacular analysis of the Fritz.

Two Knights Defense, Wilkes-Barre Variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 Bc5 5.Bxf7+ Ke7 and 6.Bd5 . .. See also the 6.Bb3 Line.

Site dedie a l'ouverture Traxler
In French with lots of Traxler stuff from the Black perspective.

The Fegatello Attack by Paul Valle
A complete analysis of 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5?! 6.Nxf7!?

Urusov Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d4)

See the Urusov Gambit. And for additional links, see my Urusov Gambit Links page.

Urusoff / Urusov Gambit Bibliography by Michael Goeller

Le Gambit Urusov from Mjae
Well, at least they acknowledge borrowing from my site... Overall, this is a very useful article and makes for a good summary of my own views. But the picture they have of "Prince Urusov" is actually a relative of his and not the man himself. Forgive them....

Urusoff Gambit by Soren Galberg Lund
From the archives, a poorly translated but interesting book on my favorite line.

Das Urusow-Gambit by Armin Fingerhut

Vienna Game and Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nc3)

Vienna Backwaters by IM Andrew Martin
A wonderful article on Santasiere's forgotten gambit alternative to the Frankenstein-Dracula system, 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Bb3 Nc6 6.d4!?

Blindsided and Shall We Dance by Tim McGrew
Analyzes lines arising after 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nc6 4.f4

Opening Lanes #50 by Gary Lane
Discusses various lines of the Vienna.

Frankenstein-Dracula System Articles by Tim Harding

Frankenstein - Dracula overview by Eric Schiller
An introduction to the line for beginners, from the author of a book on this scary line.

Frank - Drac Download (download zip PGN with analysis)

Introduction to the Pierce Gambit and Some Theory of the Pierce Gambit by Tim Harding
Discusses the fascinating gambit line 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 exf4 4.Nf3 g5 5.d4 g4 6.Bc4!? gxf3 7.O-O with wild play. Harding comes close to concluding that the line might be a draw, but he leaves us with some good ideas for White and the promise of a follow-up article.

Opening Lanes #57 by Gary Lane
Discusses 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Qg4!? Bf8!?

Opening Lanes #56 by Gary Lane
Discusses 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.Qg4 Nd4!?

Opening Lanes #45 by Gary Lane
Discusses 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.d3!? The topic is returned to in Opening Lanes #75.

Kilkenny Open by Tim Harding
Discusses the game William Watson-Michael Adams, Kilkenny Open 1996 which featured the g3-line of the Vienna. The game is described and analyzed along with the atmosphere of the event, making for a great read.

Opening Lanes #07 by Gary Lane
Considers several games that open 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 f5!?

d-Pawn Openings (1.d4 ...)

Albin Counter-Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5)


The Mengarini-Morozevich Variation of the Albin Counter Gambit (with ...Nge7) by Michael Goeller

The X-Rated Albin by Andrew Martin
A good fun article on the vulgar caveman way to play the Albin.

Albins Gegengambit
An excellent piece of analysis and a complete statistical survey of the opening.

Polgar-Nakamura, Virginia Beach 2005 annotated by Susan Polgar
An Albin featuring Morozevich's ....Nge7.

Albin Counter-Gambit
From the Chess Corner Opening Survey site, with several sample games to view online.

How to Meet the Albin by Eric Schiller

A Fistful of Novelties by Tim McGrew
Includes an interesting novelty in an Albin sideline.

Albin Counter Gambit Tournament, Groningen 2001
A powerful thematic tournament, with games to download in PGN format.

Ippolito-Shapiro, NJ Open 2001 annotated by Dean Ippolito

Tiviakov-Brenninkmeijer, Groningen 2001, annotated by Tiviakov

Albin Counter Gambit Thematic E-mail Tournament
Tournament sponsored by CCN, with completed games in PGN format and in Java replay.

Checkpoint #58 by Karsten Hansen
Includes a review of and excerpt from Luc Henris's excellent Albin CD.

Levitt-Speelman, Torquay 1982
Interesting game annotated by US Correspondence champ Jon Edwards.

Kokesh-Hammer 1997
An interesting game by two experts, annotated by Kokesh.

Download 470 PGN Albin Games from the Pitt Archive

Albin Countergambit
A mystery personal site with insufficient information. Includes games from other openings without explanation.

Contre Gambit Albin
Focuses on the more unusual White replies.

Benko Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5!?)

Benko Gambit
Part of the Chess Corner Opening Survey, with over 300 games to view.

Every Once in a While, Part One and Part Two by Tim McGrew

Korchnoi-Spassky, St. Petersburg 1999
A fascinating Benko, annotated by Ivanov.

Conquest-Degraeve, Clichy 2001 annotated by Boris Schipkov
The Benko declined with a decisive Black opening error.

Milov-DeVreugt, IECC 2001 annotated by Boris Schipkov
Features weak Black play against the declined line with b6.

A System Against the Benko Gambit
The Barnet Chess Club's page, devoted to the b6 push by White.

You Know When You've Been Benko'd by Steve Homer
Exeter Chess Club site explains the main strategic and tactical ideas of the opening.

Steve Martinson on the Benko Gambit
Martinson's article at the Exeter CC site discusses the ideas behind the gambit.

Blumenfeld Gambit from the Hellas Chess Club
Useful if older analysis (from the archive).

Benoni (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5)

Opening Overview: The Taimanov Variation of the Modern Benoni by NM Mark Hoshor

The End of the Line by Guillermo Rey
Features a game with the Taimanov Attack.

Deng Kongliang-Chiong, Manila 1989 annotated by Bobby Ang.

Opening Lanes #03 by Gary Lane
Discusses the Benoni, white fianchetto line.

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3)
This opening can also arise by a number of transpositions or related lines. In fact, it seems just as likely to occur after 1.e4 as after 1.d4.

Opening Lanes #62 by Gary Lane
Offers material on the Euwe Defense and Zilbermints Gambit.

Opening Lanes #61 by Gary Lane
Answers readers questions about the BDG.

Opening Lanes #55 by Gary Lane
Discusses the BDG.

Opening Lanes #53 by Gary Lane
Discusses BDG lines involving ....Bf5 for Black.

Shopping for a Tombstone by Andrew Martin
A good way to meet the BDG with the 5....c6 and 6....Bf5, the Ziegler Defense. This line is also discussed by Gary Lane in his Opening Lanes #67.

Tom Purser's Blackmar-Diemer Gambit pages
This gambit nearly has as many followers as the Urusov. And this is its best site.

Bennett's Temptation by Tim McGrew
Discusses the sacrifice 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3 Bg4 6.h3 Bh5 7.g4 Bg6 8.Ne5 Nc6 9.Qf3!?

Emil Joseph Diemer et le Gambit Blackmar Diemer, Part One, Part Two, and Part Three by Dany Senechaud
Good coverage, in French, that seems to reproduce a large portion of the author's book.

Defending the Blackmar-Diemer by Pete Tamburro
Considers 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 Nxe4 4.Nxe4 dxe4 5.Bc4 e5!?

Bill Wall's Blackmar-Diemer Links
A wonderful collection of links from Bill Wall, the master of links and lists.

The Lemberger Counter-Gambit by Tim McGrew
1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 e5!? from White's perspective mostly.

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit from Chess City Magazine.
Good coverage of the major defenses from Black's point of view.

Gambetto Blackmar Diemer by Giorgio Cardazza
Discusses 1.d4 d5 2.e4 c5!? 3.Nc3.

Dual Commentary of Chess Games by J. Franklin Campbell
Dual-analyzes a game with the Ryder Gambit in the BDG.

Ryder Gambit
A comprehensive database tree.

Blackmar Diemer Gambit.

Blackmar Gambit games from Chess World to download

Rampaul.com
Paul Motta's BDG fan site.

Blackmar Diemer Gambit
A memorial chess club and correspondence league.

Emil Joseph Diemer (1908-1990)

Blackmar-Diemer Gambit - Example Games
29 recent games

The Omega Gambit by Tim McGrew
For those who play the BDG in speed games and occasionally have their hands slip and issue 1.d4 Nf6! 2.e4? See also Opening Lanes #10 by Gary Lane.

Budapest Defense / Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5)
The Budapest is quite playable and a lot of fun in skittles and club play. It really isn't a "gambit," though, unless Black goes all the way with the Fajarowicz line 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ne4!?

Budapest Defense by Georgi Orlov

How Stands the Faj? by Tim Harding
A reconsideration by the author of "The Fighting Fajarowicz."

Playing the Budapest in Budapest by Tim Harding
Discusses the author's experience in an interesting theme tournament.

Budapest Traps by Bill Wall

Fajarowicz Gambit
A comprehensive survey and statistical analysis.

Adventures Against the Budapest by GM Gregory Kaidanov
Analyzes Kaidanov-Blatny, Chicago Open 1999, with web-viewable board.

Gambit de Budapest -- Alekhine Une Ligne Rare Mais Interessante by Vincent Casanovas
Focuses on the unusual piece-sac line in the Budapest following 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 Ng4 4.e4 Nxe5 5.f4 Nbc6! 6.fxe5? Qh4+ with attack.

Schipkov-Dinic, Szeged 1994 annotated by Schipkov
White returns the pawn and then dominates d5 with Nc3 and Nh3-f4-d5.

Budapest Gambit from Chess World

Budapest Gambit by Adam Bozon
A good amateur's overview for club players, plus games to play over.

Budapest Defense: 1517 Games from Hechiceros

Download the Budapest Gambit file from the Pitt Archives

Opening Lanes #70 by Gary Lane
Discusses Lukacs-Horvath, Budapest 2002, which begins 1.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e5 4.dxe5 Ng4. Also discusses the Döry or Doery Variation with 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 Ne4!? as a way of responding when White tries to avoid the Budapest.

Opening Lanes #52 by Gary Lane
Discusses some high-level Budapest Gambits.

Opening Lanes #48 by Gary Lane
Discusses a Budapest game by a reader that challenges theory.

Budapest Gambit by Jeremy Silman
An answer to a reader's question.

Chigorin Defense (1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6 or 2.Nf3 Nc6)

Chigorin Defense by Georgi Orlov

Chigorin Defense: Gagunashvili-Souleidis, Rethymnon 2003

Clarendon Court (1.d4 c5 2.d5 f5)
The Clarendon Court combines the Dutch and the Benoni, and is sometimes called the BenoGrad (combining the Benoni and the Leningrad Dutch).

Clarendon Court
The Clarendon Court Defense is 1.d4 c5 2.d5 f5!? -- a cross between the Benoni and the Dutch.

What is the Clarendon Court? by J. Levitt
See especially his annotated game with Keith Arkell.

Colle-Zukertort-Koltanowski / Torre Attack / London System (1.d4 d5 2.Nf3)

Torre Plays the Torre at Moscow 1925 and Torre-Saemisch, Moscow 1925 by Michael Goeller

The Colle System by Pete Tamburro

Der Colle-Aufbau by Klaus Schumacher
Detailed analysis of games using 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3, with history and other commentary.

Exeter Chess Club's The Colle System
An excellent introduction for beginners and club players to this easy universal system.

Opening Lanes #55 by Gary Lane
Discusses two Colle-Zukertort games and ideas, with an early Black ...e5 or ...g6.

Opening Lanes #53 by Gary Lane
Discusses ways of transposing from the Colle to the Pirc to meet pesky ...g6 formations by Black.

Opening Lanes #56 by Gary Lane
Discusses the anti-Colle stonewall idea of ...f5.

Opening Lanes #58 by Gary Lane
Discusses games that feature The Torre Attack 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5.

Opening Lanes #64 by Gary Lane
Discusses the interesting reversed Albin idea 1.d4 d5 2.Bg5!? c5 3.e4!?

Opening Lanes #54 by Gary Lane
Discusses 1.d4 d5 2.Bg5 f6!?

Opening Lanes #57 by Gary Lane
Discusses transpositions to the London System, 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 and 3.Bf4.

Opening Lanes #54 by Gary Lane
Discusses using the London System as a remedy to 2....Bf5.

Dutch Defense (1.d4 f5)

Keith's Krap by Keith Hayward
Covers the Dutch and the Bird's as a complete repertoire. The Dutch can be fun.

The Dutch Defense with Mikhail Tal by Aaron Jagt
Analyzes an exciting game between Koblents and Tal.

Defensa Holandesa (Variante Antoshin), de Hebert Perez Garcia
1.d4 f5 2.c4 Cf6 3.g3 d6 4.Ag2 c6 5.Cf3 Dc7

A Special System for a Special Opponent by Boris Schipkov
Discusses a game of his with the Lisitsin Gambit 1.Nf3 f5 2.e4!?

Opening Lanes #43 by Gary Lane
Discusses the Lisitsin Gambit.

Schipkov-Abel, Kecksemet 1993 annotated by Schipkov
White plays an early Bf4! against Black's Stonewall.

Glucksburg-Najdorf, Warsaw 1935 annotated by Tim McGrew
The game that hooked a lot of people on playing the Dutch Stonewall. Black's kingside attack practically plays itself.

Schipkov-Gerbakher, Yalta 1988 annotated by Schipkov
White plays g3 against the Leningrad.

See Feldman's games against the Leningrad, annotated by John-Paul Wallace, Changing of the Guard Part One and Part Two. Scroll down to find them.

Taking a Closer Look by Guillermo Rey
Features a game of the author's with the Leningrad Dutch.

Staunton Gambit
A comprehensive database tree and useful reference.

US Open Tactics and Novelties by IM Nikolay Minev
Annotates a game with the Staunton Gambit.

Opening Lanes #49 by Gary Lane
Covers a game in the Staunton Gambit.

Franco-Benoni Defense (1.e4 e6 2.d4 c5)

Anyone for the Franco-Benoni? by Tim Harding

Designer Gambits by Tim McGrew
Focuses on a line arising after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 c5 3.d5 e6 4.e4 exd5 5.e5!?

Franco-BenOni.

La Defense Barcza-Larsen at Mjae

Gibbens Gambit / Weidenhaugen Gambit / Humphrey Bogart Gambit / Bronstein Gambit / Bullfrog / Poisoned Spike Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.g4!!?)
John Watson has written about how such wing-pawn thrusts have become commonplace in modern chess, but I doubt he'd approve. Declining the pawn would give White lots of space on the kingside while accepting gives White space and time. Looks like fun.

Le Gambit Humphrey Bogart by Dany Senechaud
It appears that the famous movie actor played a game with this crazy line.

Gibbens-Weidenhaugen Gambit by Nick Cummings
Cummings gives percentages and analysis. The most common continuation is 1.d4 Nf6 2.g4!!? Nxg4 3.e4 d6 4.Be2 Nf6 5.Nc3 with compensation.

Eröffnungsprojekt Gibbins-Wedenhagen Gambit (A45)
A complete analysis of this strange line.

The Maltese Falcon Attack by Tim Sawyer

Poisoned Spike Games One and Two
Play over the games and analysis right online.

Prisoner 99432 by Larry Evans
Evans on Chess calls it the Poisoned Spike Gambit and gives the famous Bogie game.

Gibbins-Weidenhagen Gambit
From the archive.

Hennig-Schara (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 cxd4!?)

Have a Hack with the Hennig-Schara Attack and Hennig-Schara Gambit Revisited by Tim Harding
On the ECO D32 gambit.

Le Gambit Henning-Schara and Le Gambit Henning-Schara Refusé
From the wonderful French Mjae site.

Schara Gambit by Eric Schiller

Schara-Hening Gambit
A comprehensive reference.

Ivanov-Westerinen, Stockholm 1999
A wild game with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c5!? annotated by Ivanov.

Janowski-Indian ( 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 Bf5!?)

Tal's Janowski-Indian Games
Discusses games that the former World Champion played beginning 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 Bf5!?

King's Indian Defense and Gruenfeld (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6)

King's Indian Defense (KID) Fireworks by IM Andrew Martin
Be sure to see Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.

Defensa India de Rey, Part One, Part Two, and Part Three by IM Julio Boudy at Hechiceros
An excellent series that covers the major lines.

Feldman-Yuan, Australia 1999 annotated by John-Paul Wallace
Features a Classical KID line that leads to a complex and fascinating game.

Andersson-Kasparov, Moscow 1982 annotated by Stellan Brynell
Classical KID with Nbd7.

The Not-so-fine Art of Game Annotation by Tim Harding
Analyses a correspondence game featuring the King's Indian E96 line.

Defensa India de Rey, by IM Javier Moreno at Hechiceros

Saemisch System by IM Alejandro Moreno at Hechiceros

Schipkov-Monin, Kecskemet 1992 annotated by Schipkov
The Queen-sac line of the Saemisch.

A System against the King's Indian -- The Saemisch System from the Barnet Chess Club

Opening Lanes #06 by Gary Lane
Discusses the Saemisch.

Classical Variation by Erich Gonzalez

King's Indian Defense: An Eternal Balance by Guillermo Rey
From the archives. Discusses a Kortchnoi win on the white side of the Classical Mar del Plata line, where White's queenside attack wins over Black's kingside attack.

Chemlik-Demétrio, EU Corr. 2000 (Download ZIP PGN file), annotated by António Demétrio
An interesting attacking game, annotated in PGN format. Download direct from Mike Donnely's excellent site.

Opening Lanes #51 by Gary Lane
Discusses Averbach's Bg5 line.

Opening Lanes #45 by Gary Lane
Discusses what happens when Black foregoes d6 (a la Fischer).

KID Four Pawns Attack by NM Randy Bauer

King's Indian Defense - Four Pawns Attack from the Barnet Chess Club

A Patzer's Progress by Jeff Otto
An amateur player's story of learning the KID.

Reilly-Feldman, Australia 1999 annotated by John-Paul Wallace
A very interesting Gruenfeld that leads to a R v. B+N ending won by Black nicely.

Nimzo-Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4)

Tal's Nimzo Line by Craig Sadler
Explores Botwinnik-Tal, Match 1960, Game 20, where Botwinnik improved over their earlier games, meeting Tal's interesting idea of 5...Ne5 and 6....f5 with 7.Qh5+, which Tal saw as a powerful move but which Sadler demonstrates to be at least equal if not better for Black with best play.

Nimzoindian Defense: An Outline of Playable Lines by Pete Tamburro
A great overview for anyone trying to learn this venerable opening.

Kramnik-Kasparov, BGN WC (08) 2000 annotated by Malcolm Pein
The classical 4.Qc2 leads to an equal ending.

Opening Lanes #10 by Gary Lane
Discusses a line with 4.Qc2.

The Rubinstein System with 4.e3 from the Barnet Chess Club

Kramnik-Kasparov, BGN WC (10) 2000
The Rubinstein variation leads to a Kramnik victory.

Kramnik-Kasparov, BGN WC (12) 2000
Another Rubinstein, but this time a draw.

Aleksandrov-Adams, Bled 2002 annotated by Schipkov
Black develops a surprising initiative against the Rubinstein.

Van Wely-Acs, Hoogeveen Essent 2002 annotated by Schipkov
Black's sacrificial attack seems to come out of nowhere.

Bacrot-Anand, Corsica Rapid 2002 annotated by Schipkov
After the 4.Nf3 line, and Black's last move is stunning.

A Pawn Sacrifice Revisited by Andrew Martin
Analyzes the sacrifice following 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 b6 5.Bg5 Bb7 6.e3 h6 7.Bh4 g5 8.Bg3 Ne4 9.Nd2!? which had been played in several GM games.

Lautier-Korchnoi, Biel 2001 annotated by Boris Schipkov
Gives some excellent opening commentary on 4.Nf3.

Volkov-Sakaev, FICE WCh KO New Delhi 2000 annotated by Schipkov

Bogo-Indian from the Hellas Chess Club
A useful analysis for club players of 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Bb4+.

The Bogo-Indian [E11] by Andrew Martin
Excellent analysis of 3...Bb4+. In two parts.

Opening Lanes #09 by Gary Lane
Discusses the game Johner-Nimzovich, Dresden 1926.

Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4)

Queen's Gambit Declined
Part of the Chess Corner Opening Survey. Includes good general coverage and games for each major line (you need to navigate to the end of each section to find the games).

An Aggressive System Against the Queen's Gambit Declined from the Barnet Chess Club
Recommends the Exchange Variation with Q-side castling for White.

Queen's Gambit Declined by IM Zoran Ilic
From the Archives. White plays Bf4 with either positional or tactical intentions.

Queen's Gambit Point Machine by Mark Morss

Gambito de Dama by Erich Gonzalez
Analyzes a nice game of Capablanca's.

Capablanca-Janowski, New York 1918 annotated by Capablanca
An interesting game featuring Capa's 6.Nbd2 novelty with the idea of recapturing the pawn at c4 with the Knight to better control e5.

Noteboom or Abrahams, Whose Variation Is It Anyway? by Tim Harding
Discusses the origins of 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 dxc4 5.e4 b5 seeking to hold onto the gambit pawn.

Introduction to the Slav and Semi-Slav from Thomasollo
From the archive: features 2...c6 lines for Black. In French.

Slav Defense by Adam Bozon
An introduction to 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 for the general player.

The New Slav, Part One and Part Two by Andrew Martin
A great introduction to lines where Black tries a Slav-route to the QGA with the idea of hanging onto that pawn.

The Game begins on the 17th by Guillermo Rey
Discusses a Lautier-Ivanchuk 1999 encounter with the Slav.

The Advantage of Opposite Colored Bishops by Guillermo Rey
Discusses a Botvinnik game in the Slav exchange.

Karpov's Mastery by Guillermo Rey
Discusses a Karpov-Gurevich, France 2000 game where Karpov's brilliant positional play leads to a strong attack in the semi-Slav.

Cambridge Springs Variation from the Hellas Chess Club
Useful coverage for club players (from the archives).

Opening Lanes #51 by Gary Lane
Discusses the Keres favorite 1.d4 d5 2.c4 Bf5.

Opening Lanes #49 by Gary Lane
Covers some lines of the QGA not discussed by Chris Ward.

Ivanchuk-Ponomariov, Moscow 2002 annotated by Alejandro di Battista
A Queen's Gambit Accepted with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 Nf6,

Trompowsky (1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5)

Trashing the Tromp by Andrew Martin
Suggests Black play 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 e6 3.e4 h6 4.Bxf6 Qxf6.

Opening Lanes #51 by Gary Lane
Discusses the interesting gambit idea 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 e6 3.e4 Be7!? 4.Nc3!? Nxe4!? where White appears to gain long term compensation for the pawn.

Opening Lanes #49 by Gary Lane
Discusses a game with 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 e6.

Opening Lanes #64 by Gary Lane
Discusses the interesting reversed Albin idea 1.d4 d5 2.Bg5!? c5 3.e4!?

Opening Lanes #54 and #44 by Gary Lane
Discusses 1.d4 d5 2.Bg5 f6!?

To Take or Not to Take by Guillermo Rey
Features a game of the author's with 1.d4 d5 2.Bg5 where he offered the b-pawn to his opponent.

Martian Trompowsky Part One and Part Two, by Jeremy Silman
A two part article on 2....Ne4 3.Bf4 lines, which look like they are from Mars I suppose.

Trompowsky (also available in PDF)
A report on 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.Bf4 d5 4.f3 Nf6 5.e4.

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5
Unfinished, but a useful overview of the Tromp.

Summerscale-Hunt, Edinburgh 2003
Game begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4, annotated by IM Andrew Martin.

Agdestein-Schandorff, Nordic Zonal 2000
Game begins 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 Ne4 3.Bf4 c5

Veresov and Related Lines (1.d4 d5 2.Nc3)
The Veresov leads to very interesting and unusual play.

New Directions by Andrew Martin
Written from White's perspective on learning a new opening (the Veresov), but lots of ideas for Black here as well.

Opening Lanes #65 by Gary Lane
Discusses Johnny Hector's interesting idea 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5 Nbd7 4.Qd3!?

Zhang-Pigusov, FIDE WC KO Moscow 2001, annotated by Boris Schipkov

Unusual Openings

English (1.c4)

Winging It Part One, Part Two, and Part Three by Tim McGrew
Features the idea of sacrificing with ....b5!? in the 1.c4 e5 English for Black.

L'ouverture Anglaise at Mjae
Features lines beginning 1.c4 e5.

The English Opening 1.c4 e5 by Georgi Orlov
A good introduction to Black's popular anti-English system.

Opening Lanes #07 by Gary Lane
Considers several games with 1.c4 e5.

Englisch by Armin Fingerhut
Also available at Englisch (or this may be a slightly different version).

A Patzer's Progress by Jeffrey Otto, Part One, Part Two and Part Three
Part two especially focuses on Internet correspondence games the author has played with 1.c4 e5.

Study your games by GM Nigel Davies
Features a game of the author's with the English.

The Ideas Behind the English Opening from the Exeter Chess Club
Offers various formations with illustrative games, from both the White and Black sides.

A Systematic Approach by Randy Bauer
Black plays the 1.c4 c5 lines by transposition from 1.Nf3.

1.Nf3 (King's Indian Attack and other variations)
This move can transpose to a number of other openings, including those arising from 1.d4 and 1.c4 more typically.

The King's Indian Attack by FM Steve Stoyko
Notes on a lecture that features Stoyko's games with this system.

An Opening Repertoire for White: The King's Indian Attack by IM Eric Tangborn
One way to simplify your study of the openings...

Opening Lanes #01 by Gary Lane
Discusses the unusual 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.g3 g6 3.b4!? which we used to call Santasiere's Folly.

A Special System for a Special Opponent by Boris Schipkov
Discusses a game of his with the Lisitsin Gambit 1.Nf3 f5 2.e4!?

1.Nc3!? (Dunst Opening)

Who Dunst It? by Tim Harding
A useful overview of this interesting system.

Winning Ugly by Nigel Davies
Closely discusses a game beginning 1.Nc3 d5 2.e4, with extensive commentary on the opening generally.

Bird's Opening (1.f4) and From's Gambit (1.f4 e5!?)

Keith's Krap by Keith Hayward
Some excellent analysis and games featuring lines in the Bird's and From.

Fischer-Mecking, Palma 1970 annotated by Boris Schipkov
This game actually starts out with 1.b3, which is a nice way to avoid the From's Gambit.

Chernyshov-Epishin, Elista 2001 annotated by Boris Schipkov
The game begins 1.f4 d5 2.Nf3 g6 and ends in White's favor.

Bird's Opening file to download from Chess World
This is one of the most complete files on the Bird's that I've come across.

From's Gambit
A comprehensive reference.

Le Gambit From from Mjae

From Gambit by Eric Schiller
From the archives.

Opening Lanes #04 by Gary Lane
Discusses White's success against the From's Gambit in recent games.

1.h4?! (The Total Crap Opening)

Opening Lanes #58 by Gary Lane
A reader asks whether there have ever been high level encounters with 1.h4, and the answer is a surprising "yes." See also Opening Lanes #09 for other bad first moves.

Grob (1.g4) and the Borg (1....g5)

Apertura Grob
Spanish language article from Hechiceros.

How to Meet the Polish and Grob by Andrew Martin
His advice: 1.b4 d5 2.Bb2 Qd6!? and 1.g4 e5 2.Bg2 (2.h3 Ne7!) 2....h5!

"Doesn't 1.g4 Lose?" from the Huntsville Chess Club
Includes PGN games and analysis.

Opening Lanes #40 by Gary Lane
Discusses Basman's 1....g5?!

Nimzowitsch Defense / Kevitz System / Two Knights Tango (1....Nc6)

1....Nc6 and Kevitz System Bibliography by Michael Goeller

Nimzowitsch Defense (also archived at Nimzowitsch Defense)
A very good introduction to a useful Black Defense.

Recent Developments in a Critical Variation of the Nimzowitsch by Soren Jensen -- another version of which is posted at this Nimzowitsch site.

Black Knights Tango, Part One, Part Two, Part Three, and Part Four by GM Joel Benjamin at Jeremy Silman's site.

Opening Lanes #56 by Gary Lane
Discusses 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.h3!?

Smerdon-Laird, Australia 1999 annotated by John-Paul Wallace
Scroll down (though all the games are great and well-annotated). Features 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 transposing into a Pirc. See also Opening Lanes #10 by Gary Lane for a discussion of this line.

Opening Lanes #42 by Gary Lane
Discusses 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 f5?! which White should handle more positionally than tactically.

Borovikov-Mikhaletz, Ukraine Ch 2001 annotated by Boris Schipkov
Transposes to the line 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Bg4 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.d5 Nb8!?

Anthony Miles at Chessgames.com

Nimzowitsch Defense at Sudbury Chess

Rememberance of Chess Times Past by Tim Harding
Discusses a game of his that began 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nc3.

Nimzo file at Pitt (download PGN)

Opening Lanes #01 by Gary Lane
Discusses 1.e4 Nc6 2.Nf3 d5!?

Owen Defense (1....b6!?)

Eröffnungstheorie: Die Owen-Verteidigung 1.e4 b6, von FM Christof Herbrechtsmeier

Against the Queen's Fianchetto Defense by Pete Tamburro

The Hippopotamus Rises from the Swamp, Part One and Part Two by IM Andrew Martin
An interesting set of articles on the Double-Fianchetto Hedgehog as Black, beginning with 1....b6.

Levitt-Short, Calcutta 1998 annotated by Jon Levitt
The game features the double-fianchetto defense.

Sokolski / Sokolsky / Orangutan / Polish / 1.b4 (1.b4)
Though most of these articles are written from the White perspective, they should give any player as Black a good perspective on these lines.

How to Meet the Polish and Grob by Andrew Martin
His advice: 1.b4 d5 2.Bb2 Qd6!? and 1.g4 e5 2.Bg2 (2.h3 Ne7!) 2....h5!

How Sokolsky Played the Sokolsky, Significant Games in the Sokolsky Opening and Goodbye to the Friendly Orang-Utan by Tim Harding

Marek's 1.b4 Encyclopaedia
Marek has one of the most complete collections on the web of Ourangutan stuff. See especially the New Games section.

The Orang-utan
Lots of PGN games are the strongest feature of this site.

Apertura Orengutan
Spanish language article on the Sokolski from Hechiceros.

The Sokolski
Helmut Pleschke's site.

Sokolsky Opening games file to download from Chess World

Opening Lanes #57 by Gary Lane
Discusses the idea 1.a3 e5 2.b4, which is basically a Sokolsky by transposition.

Other Opening Materials
There are some excellent links pages and other directories on the net. Here are some I have found useful.

Other Opening Links Pages

References on Chess Opening Names

Analysis Chat

Openings for Amateurs, monitored by Pete Tamburro at NJSCF
Probably the best place to chat about openings online.

rec.games.chess.analysis
The Google bulletin board where you can ask or answer analysis related questions.

Broken Links and Additions

It is a difficult task maintaining a links page, especially one that links to individual articles (so-called "deep linking"). The web is ever changing: sites disappear, are rearranged, move to new addresses, or switch to modes that make deep linking impossible. Many pages that vanish are preserved to some degree in the Web Archives, and I generally link directly to the archived site for inactive pages. If you find a missing link, you might search in the archive yourself using the dead URL. But please let me know about the problem so I can fix it for everyone. Report broken links and tell me about sites I don't have (including your own) by sending a message to michael.goeller@rutgers.edu.

One note: I recommend that you download or print out any analysis you find through this page so that you will have a copy when it vanishes from the web. Though the Web Archive preserves some sites, it often does so incompletely and it may not do so forever. Not only does the archive have space limitations, but many of the sites it reproduces now may be removed in the future due to copyright issues.

Updated 04.22.2005 | Contact Michael Goeller