About Chess Openings | Rules and Tips | How to Learn | Lesson 21

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Next lesson we will go directly to learning the main chess openings and their main variations, and the first one will be Bishop's Opening... But before this, it must be useful for you to get more statistics, information, rules, and tips on chess openings - all in one place. This will help you know more on chess openings and choose which method is the best for you to learn...

This chess lesson consists of the following 2 parts:
I. About Openings
II. How to Learn Chess Openings (on this page)
This is to give you a general picture about chess openings and some practical pieces of advice how to play chess openings in real...


I. About Openings

• Learning chess opening is one of the most difficult topics in chess.
• More than 50% of all chess books are dedicated to learning chess openings.
• For the winning probability, it does matter which color you play the game.
• The recorded games of chess masters show the following average probability for all openings: White Won-38%, Black Won-30%, Draw-32%.

• Without the drawing results, the average game winning probability is: White Won-56%, Black Won-44%.
• It is so because White begins the game. Moving first, White has more chances to be first in developing, getting the center, providing the King safety, and preparing attack.
• Each chess opening has its own winning probability. The winning probability of Bishop's Opening is White Won-41%, Black Won-29%, Draw-30%; that of Sicilian Defense is White Won-37%, Black Won-34%, Draw-29%.

• Some of the most successful openings for White are: Queen's Gambit, Ruy Lopez, Bishop's Opening, Benko Opening, Vienna Game, Centre Game, English Opening, Scotch Game.
• Some of the most successful openings for Black are: Sicilian Defence, Nimzo Indian, Alekhine Defence.
• Some of the most drawing chess openings are: Bogo-Indian Defence, Petrov Defence, Nimzo Indian, Four Knight's Defence, Grunfeld Defence, Reti Opening.

• The most common chess openings are: Sicilian Defense, Ruy Lopez, Italian Game, French Defense, Caro-Kann Defense, Pirc Defense, Queen's Gambit, Indian Defenses, English Opening, Reti Opening.
• Each chess opening has its own popularity. The most popular chess opening is Sicilian Defense, and its popularity is around 17% of all the games played.
• All Open Game openings have the popularity of around 11% of all the games played.
• There are few types of chess opening classifications.

• The simplest and unofficial one is the following division: - Open Games (1.e4 e5); - Semi-Open Games (1.e4 other); -Closed Games (1.other other).
• The second and official is the following one: - Open Games or Double King Pawn (1.e4 e5); - Semi-Open Games or Single King Pawn (1.e4 other); - Closed Games or Double Queen Pawn (1.d4 d5); - Semi-Closed Games or Single Queen Pawn (1.d4 other); - Flank openings (1.c4, 1.Nf3, 1.f4, and some others); - Openings with unusual first moves for White.

• The third and official one is the ECO Code classification. Read more on this Lesson 17: What are ECO Codes?
• The ECO Code classification is usually used by chess experts and professionals.
• How many chess openings are there in chess? The answer depends on what you mean by that question...
• If you mean all possible variations to begin the game, without any names, it is exactly 500 chess openings as defined by the ECO Code classification: A00-A99, B00-B99, C00-C99, D00-D99, E00-E99.

• If you mean chess openings by their names, it is around 100-110 depending on how to count.
• And if you mean the chess openings which are really used in practical chess game, the number in this case is around 60.
• Chess opening is like building foundation. The better foundation, the stronger building.
• But having won the chess opening does not mean winning the chess game.

• Many chess schools teach the beginner the chess endgame first, the chess opening last.
• It is impossible to remember all chess opening variations in full.
• But it is very important to know the Chess Opening Rules and Tips.
• A Chess Opening Rule: Playing chess opening, always try to follow 3 main strategies: Development, Control of the Center, King Safety.

• A Chess Opening Tip: At the same time, try to prevent your opponent from following the same 3 main opening strategies.
• A Chess Opening Rule: If your opponent breaks any of 3 main opening strategies or an opening variation (line), you may too.
• A Chess Opening Rule: Develop first your minor pieces (the minor pieces are the Knights and Bishops).
• A Chess Opening Tip: Many chess experts advise to develop Knights before Bishops because Knights are the only short-range pieces.

• A Chess Opening Tip: Try to move the minor pieces to a best place in one move.
• A Chess Opening Tip: Good squares for Knight development are c3, f3, c6, f6.
• A Chess Opening Tip: Good squares for White Bishop development are e2, d3, c4, f4.
• A Chess Opening Tip: A chess piece may stay at the initial position and be developed if its line is open.
• A Chess Opening Rule: Complete your development before moving a piece twice or starting an attack.

• A Chess Opening Tip: You may move the piece twice or starting the attack if the piece is being attacked or your opponent made a blunder.
• A Chess Opening Tip: There are 2 ways to Control the Center: by placing your pawn(s) into it or by attacking the Center by your pieces. Try to use the both methods.
• A Chess Opening Tip: The best way to provide King Safety is to make the Castling Move.
• A Chess Opening Tip: At the same time, try to deprive your opponent of making the Castling Move.

• A Chess Opening Rule: Do not bring the Queen out too early. At the beginning, the Queen brought out may be attacked and you will loose in developing.
• A Chess Opening Tip: You may bring the Queen out early if it is a designated move of a chess opening, if your opponent does not know what is Scholar's Mate, and if your opponent made a blunder.
• A Chess Opening Rule: At a later stage of a chess opening, develop your Queen too.
• A Chess Opening Tip: A developing square for your Queen is very important. The best developing squares for White Queen are c2, d2, e2, b3.

• A Chess Opening Rule: Do not run for the pawn material at the chess opening phase.
• A Chess Opening Rule: Playing a chess opening, think about your pawn structure. Avoid isolated, doubled pawns, avoid many pawn islands too.
• A Chess Opening Rule: At a later stage of a chess opening, there should be no any pieces between your Rooks.
• A Chess Opening Rule: Consider the chess opening phase successfully finished when you develop all minor pieces, control the center, provide safety to the King, and there are no any pieces between your Rooks.

• A Chess Opening Tip: It may happens that you have already finished the opening phase and entered into the middle game, while your opponent is still at the middle of the opening phase.
• A Chess Opening Rule: Always connect the chess opening phase with the middle game, preparing plan for the middle game which is based upon the current position.
• A Chess Opening Tip: Estimate the current position taking into account the following: the material, the Kings' positions, the pawn islands, how good are your Bishops and your opponent's, who controls open lines, position specification (week squares, bad pieces, etc).

• A Chess Opening Tip: If your opponent's King position is weak, you may plan to attack the opponent's King.
• A Chess Opening Tip: If you have more material, you may plan to exchange your chess pieces and go directly to the endgame.
• A Chess Opening Tip: If you have less material, you may plan to take an initiative and complicate the position.
• A Chess Opening Tip: If you see that your opponent's pieces are better, you may plan to echange your bad chess pieces for those good of your opponent.

• A Chess Opening Rule: If you encounter an unexpected move or novelty from your opponent in a chess opening, play as your common sense tells you.
• A Chess Opening Tip: If your opponent is strong at playing chess openings, you may try to mislead your opponent by simply changing the designated move order of the opening.
• A Chess Opening Tip: Roughly, take the opening in simple as the first 10 moves of the game. But be informed that there are opening variations (lines) with 20 or even 30 designated moves.


II. How to Learn Chess Openings

• First of all, you are recommended to learn the designated moves and initial positions of 30-35 chess openings to recognize. To learn them, you can use this ebook Lesson 8: Download Chess Opening Puzzle eBook.
• Learning a chess opening, you must know its main variations, main correct lines of play for White and Black, and make a short database of real games on this opening.
• Use the database of real games to learn how it works in real because the correct lines of play are often broke down in the real games.

• All chess experts recommend to begin learning openings with the Open Games.
• The Open Games are more understandable for chess beginners than other types.
• First limit your chess opening repertoire with 1-2 openings for White, and 1-2 for Black.
• At the beginning, try to learn the "most open" Open Game openings like King's Gambit, Two Knight's Defense, Italian Game.

• By doing this, you will develop your combination skills and understand the opening basics.
• It is important to choose your chess opening repertoire according to your play style.
• There are many examples when chess players improved their results by simply changing the chess opening repertoire with another openings which were according to their play style.
• You may choose a chess opening by simply asking yourself you like this opening or not.

• All chess experts recommend not to learn opening variations (lines) by simply mechanical memorizing.
• To learn, you should memorize the opening variations (lines) by replaying on the chess board, analyzing the typical positions, the piece developing squares, understanding the main idea of the opening, etc.
• Learning chess opening take into account how good your memory is. If your memory is good you may go deeper, if not so good try to remember the opening variation by the main positions.

• Many chess players create their own chess opening database on computer, some use notebook writing, some use card index database.
• In the chess opening database, you should have not only the correct opening variations (lines) but also sample chess games on the same variations.
• To replay the sample chess games, the top-level chess players use shareware computer programs.
• For the same purpose, you may use a decent freeware computer program. How to download the program, see at Lesson 16: Download PGN Viewer Program.

• To find more chess games, you may use the method which was highlighted in
Lesson 19: Download .PGN Files to Learn Openings.
• Good way to learn chess openings is to read, learn, and study chess opening books.
• You may also find many useful materials to learn chess openings via Internet sources.
• Some chess players recommend to test a chess opening by playing against a computer program.

• In this case, you should pay attention to how the program is programmed to answer each your move.
• But real test for the chess opening is your playing chess games with enough time control.
• You should carefully analyze your recorded games on your opening mistakes.
• Once you feel yourself better within the chess opening environment, you may include more openings into your chess opening repertoire.

• Chess Opening for Beginners - See All Lessons

This completes Lesson 21 on learning openings for chess beginners (the lesson's topic was About Chess Openings | Rules and Tips | How to Learn). The next lesson to learn is Lesson 22 on Bishop's Opening.

Learn Chess Opening Traps | Lesson 20

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In a lesson, and we will go directly to learning the main variations of the main chess openings. Step by step, you will be given the main variations, their names, designated moves, and initial positions. Each main chess opening will be given by displaying 1 to 4 best play lines for White and Black. Each main chess opening will be explained by its main ideas, features, and statistics...

• The Latest Information and New Links on This Site

But before this, you are highly recommended to see today 2 short chess videos on chess opening traps. Frankly, there are many traps and opening mistakes to see and learn. Fortunately, many of opening traps and mistakes are not so often to happen. But these 2 videos must be "see-them-first" for any chess beginner. They will display you the Scholar's Mate, and Legal's Mate...

Scholar's Mate is the most common opening trap chess beginners fall into. Just 4 moves... If you don't know it, learn it first. In the video, you will see the best defense against Scholar's Mate... As for Legal's Mate, it's 7 moves. If you don't know it, you might not even understand how Black was trapped. Legal's Mate is not so common, but learn it as well before being trapped in real...

To see 2 chess videos on chess opening traps, click the following links which will open in a new browser's window (so you can close the new window after seeing and go back to this page):

• Chess Opening Trap: Scholar's Mate

• Chess Opening Trap: Legal's Mate

Note 1. The above 2 links will open in a new window of your browser on a sister blog.

See more chess opening traps by clicking the next links:

• Danish Gambit - Learn This Trap

• Vienna Game - Learn This Trap

• Philidor Defense: Trap 1 - Learn

• Philidor Defense: Trap 2 - Learn

• Petroff Defense: Learn This Trap

Note 2. The above 5 links will open in a new window of your browser on this blog.

To see all chess opening lessons for beginners, click the following link:

• Chess Opening Sitemap - See All Lessons

This completes Lesson 20 (Learn Opening Traps). The next chess opening lesson to learn is Lesson 21 (About Openings | Rules and Tips | How to Learn).

Download PGN Files to Learn Chess Openings | Lesson 19

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[•: Chess Openings - See All Lessons]

[•: Latest Chess Opening Information and New Links]

At the bottom of this page you will get valuable chess information about the best Internet PGN link (webpage) where you can download PGN files with the latest games of chess masters on a weekly basis (1). On this page, you will also find the best Internet link to download PGN files with specific chess openings (2). Having at your possession the above PGN files, you can effectively learn chess openings. Using PGN files is a best way to learn chess openings by yourself!

How to learn chess openings using the PGN files? Download first PGN files with the latest games of chess masters (1). Using the above files, make you own PGN file with the chess games on the opening you want... Or download ready-to use PGN file on specific opening to learn (2). Open made your own PGN file on specific opening (1) or ready-to use PGN file on that opening (2) with any PGN viewer to replay the chess games and learn the opening you want.

Edit the original PGN files and create your own PGN file using... a simple Windows Notepad. Find the games on the needed chess opening within the original PGN files using the opening ECO codes or the opening name (see Lesson 18 on this site)... Open a PGN file by right-clicking, find games on the needed opening, use copy and paste... Create an empty .txt file, paste the games, and rename the file as .pgn... Download a decent freeware PGN viewer on the Internet (see Lesson 16)...

To find all chess opening lessons on this site, click the next link:

• Chess Opening Lessons - See All Links

A sample link to learn a semi-open game chess opening:

• Learn Alekhine's Defense e4 Nf6 (Lesson 43)

Learn important chess opening information for beginner:

• How to Estimate Who's Better and Make Plan for Middlegame (C, D)

• Ads: Get Free Demo 350 Endgame Puzzles PDF for Better Endgame: Special compilation of endgame puzzles by famous composers to significantly improve your skill to win chess endgame.

I. About PGN Files: Read Before Downloading

If you don't want to read about PGN files, to download the latest games of chess masters, or to make your own PGN files on specific chess openings, you don't need to go to the bottom of this page... If you only want to download the ready-to-use PGN files on specific chess openings (2), use the following link which is the best of its type on the Internet:

• Link to Download Ready-to-Use PGN Files on Specific Chess Openings

Note 1. The above link must open in a new window of your browser.
Note 2. To find an opening, click one of the following links: Classical King Pawn (1.e4 e5), Modern King Pawn (1.e4 other than e5); for Close Games use Modern Queen Pawn (1.d4), Classical Queen Pawn (1.d4 d5), Flank and Unorthodox (1.c4, ...).
Note 3. The opening PGN files are compressed as .zip files.

Below you can get more about PGN files and find another valuable link... Part I will explain you what are PGN files, how you can use PGN files to learn chess openings and playing chess, what kind of program you need to open PGN files, and the like. Using a PGN file, you can replay and see the recorded chess games inside it. Here we are to read and get:

• PGN files are special files designed for chess players.
• PGN files contain chess games or chess positions.
• PGN file may contain one chess game or many.
• If you have downloaded PGN file as zipped file, you must unzip it first to read.

• To read a PGN file, you must have a PGN Viewer Program installed on your computer.
• If you don't have a PGN Viewer Program, click the following link to download it:
• Lesson 16: Download Free PGN Viewer Program
• Install the PGN Viewer Program to open and read the PGN files.

• The Program being installed correctly, click any PGN file and it will be open by the Program (you can also open the PGN file via the Program's File menu).
• When the PGN file is open, in the Program's Information Panel you can see the list of chess games.

• Each chess game is one line in the list with the following information: the Name of chess player who played White, his or her Elo rating, Name of chess player who played Black, his or her Elo rating, Result, Date, Event, Site, Round, and ECO Code of Chess Opening.
• If you click a chess game's line, the Program opens the game in a new window: You will see the chess board with the initial position and the Program's Buttons - Next Move, Previous Move, and the like.

• To replay the game, click and keep clicking the Next Move Button.
• When you replay the game to the end, click the Load Next Game button at the top and the next chess game will open.
• You must have the list of the ECO Codes of the main chess openings to find the chess opening you want.

• For example, if you want to find the French Defense opening, click any game with ECO Codes C00-C19.
• If you don't know the ECO Codes of the main chess openings, click the following link:
Lesson 18: ECO Codes of Main Openings

• Be informed that one ECO Code may includes the names of few chess openings.
• For example, ECO Code C40 includes many chess openings but not one.
• C40 is Latvian Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5), Elephant Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5), and few openings more.

• Before seeing chess openings via PGN files, you are recommended to learn the initial positions and recognition moves of the main openings.
• If you don't know the initial positions and recognition moves of the main chess openings, click the following link:
• Lesson 8: Download Chess Opening Puzzle eBook
Now we are going to Part II, which explains how to download PGN files.

II. Download PGN Files from the Best Internet PGN Link (Page)

Part II will explain you how to download weekly PGN files with the latest games of chess masters from the Best Internet PGN Link (page).

• The Best Internet PGN Link (page) is a deep link of www.theweekinchess.com.
• This Link (page) had the Google Rank 5 which was very high for any separate Internet page for chess sites (Google Page Rank was 0 to 10, the higher the better, and it showed the Google trust - nowadays, Google Page Rank is cancelled but the page is still alive, developed and supported, with a great popularity today).

• As of 25 September 2019, this Link (page) had the Alexa Rank 261,997 which is very high for any separate Internet page for chess sites (Alexa Rank is from 1 to ~, the lower the better, and it shows the website world popularity by the number of visitors. For example, the Google website has Alexa Rank 1 and is the most popular website in the world).

• On this page of www.theweekinchess.com, you can find each Monday the new collection of chess master's games as TWIC ("The Week in Chess") PGN files.
• As of 25 September 2019, the latest TWIC PGN file was Number 1298.
• The TWIC PGN files are published as zipped files: To use the files, you will need to unzip them first.

• When you visit this page, you should make one click down to see the TWIC files.
• Each TWIC file has 2 different file formats to download (namely, the PGN file format and CBV file format - you will need the PGN file format). On the below picture, by clicking PGN you will download TWIC 1298:



Find the best Internet PGN files link (page) on the web here:

• Here: Link to Download the Latest PGN Files - The Week in Chess

Note 1. The above link will open in a new window of your browser. Go down on the open page and find the TWIC Download table first (as shown on the picture).
Note 2 TWIC stands for "This Week In Chess" file. Each TWIC file has its number: for example TWIC 1297, TWIC 1298 etc.. Then click any PGN link in the PGN column to download a PGN file.

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Note 3. Below is a friendly advertisement of 2 chess PDF ebooks "250/350 Chess Endgame Puzzles by Famous Chess Composers." To improve your chess endgame, click the following link:

• Ads: Free Demo PDF eBook 350 Chess Endgame Puzzles to Master Endgame

You are visiting chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com which is designed for beginners and intermediate chess players to learn chess openings by text, video, by pictures, PDF ebooks and PGN files. To quickly find this chess opening website on Google, you can use the following keywords: chess openings beginners blogspot.

............
Welcome on board. Thank you for your attention and learning chess openings!

See the ECO Codes of Main Chess Openings | Lesson 18

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As chess beginner, you should have only a general idea about the ECO code system of chess openings (note that ECO stands for the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings). You should also have a reference to the ECO codes of the main chess openings and their variations (find them below) if you are creating your own PGN files to learn chess openings or for another use.

To create a PGN file on specific chess opening or its variation, you should know the exact ECO code of the opening or variation in question... Chapter I of this lesson "Introduction to ECO Codes" will try to convince you why you should know some ECO codes, while the next Chapter II "ECO Codes of Main Chess Openings and Their Variations" will provide you with the main ECO codes.

I. Introduction to ECO Codes

On this site, you will be provided with special chess opening videos, some chess opening pdf ebooks, and special chess opening .PGN files to effectively learn the main chess openings. Producing this stuff takes time... Meanwhile, in the next lesson you will be given the best Internet link where you can download on weekly base the PGN files with the latest games of chess masters.

Each such .PGN file includes 3000-4000 chess masters' games. Each chess opening within this .PGN file is recorded by an ECO Code. For example, if you want to learn Bishop's Opening, just find within the .PGN file ECO Codes C23-C24. Then open the chess games in question to replay. Do you remember that you need an PGN Viewer Program to open .PGN files? In Lesson 16, you can find how to download a decent freeware PGN Viewer Program...

This method is good because you will visually see:
• how chess masters play chess openings;
• how chess masters explore the chess opening positions;
• how chess masters connect the opening phase with the middlegame;
• when chess masters stop developing and begin attack, and the like.

Besides, you should know the ECO Codes of the Main Chess Openings because of the following... To effectively learn a chess opening, it is important to create a database of the chess games on the opening learned. Preferably, the database must include the games of chess masters because they know how to correctly play the chess opening in question. You will need the database to replay the games (on the chess board) for memorizing, analyzing, and understanding...

It may be a computer database, opening card database in writing, or both... You may find many games on the Internet. The chess openings of the games found will be marked by the ECO Codes. If you know the ECO Codes of Main Chess Openings, you will quickly find the chess games needed... But be aware that one ECO Code may be one opening; one ECO Code may be also many openings. In the latter case, check also the designated moves of the openings to select correctly.

II. ECO Codes of Main Chess Openings and Their Variations

• ECO Codes of the Open Game Chess Openings
[Open Game chess openings begin with 1.e4 e5]

King's Gambit, ECO Codes C30-C39
1.e4 e5 2.f4
Note: ECO Codes C30-C39 are only King's Gambit.

Bishop's Opening, ECO Codes C23-C24
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4
Note: ECO Codes C23-C24 are only Bishop's Opening.
• 20 Variations of the Bishop's Opening ECO C23-C24

Latvian Gambit, ECO Code C40
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5
Note: ECO Code C40 is not only Latvian Gambit.
• 7 Variations of the Latvian Gambit ECO Code C40

Vienna Game, ECO Codes C25-C29
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3
Note: ECO Codes C25-C29 are only Vienna Game.

Center Game, ECO Codes C21-C22
1.e4 e5 2.d4 ed 3. Qxd4
Note: ECO Codes C21-C22 are not only Center Game.

Philidor Defense, ECO Code C41
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6
Note: ECO Code C41 is only Philidor Defense.

Petrov Defense, ECO Codes C42-C43
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6
Note: ECO Codes C42-C43 are only Petrov Defense.

Ruy Lopez, ECO Codes C60-C99
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
Note: ECO Codes C60-C99 are only Ruy Lopez.
• Free PDF eBook - Ruy Lopez All Variations

Italian Game, ECO Code C50
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5
Note: ECO Code C50 is not only Italian Game.

Scotch Game, ECO Codes C44-C45
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
Note: ECO Code C44 is not only Scotch Game.
Note: ECO Code C45 is only Scotch Game.

Two Knights Defense, ECO Codes C55-C59
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6
Note: ECO Code C55 is not only Two Knights Defense.
Note: ECO Codes C56-C59 are only Two Knights Defense.

Four Knights Game, ECO Codes C47-C49
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6
Note: ECO Codes C47-C49 are only Four Knights Game.

• ECO Codes of the Semi-Open Game Chess Openings
[Semi-Open Game openings begin with 1.e4 {other than e5}]

Caro-Kann Defense, ECO Codes B10–B19
1.e4 c6
Note: ECO Codes B10–B19 are only Caro-Kann Defense.

French Defense, ECO Codes C00-C19
1.e4 e6
Note: ECO Code C00 is not only French Defense.
Note: ECO Code C00 is also the Lengfellner System opening (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d6).
Note: ECO Code C00 is also the St. George Defence opening (1.e4 e6 2.d4 a6).
Note: ECO Codes C01-C19 are only French Defense.

Sicilian Defense, ECO Codes B20-B99
1.e4 c5
Note: ECO Codes B20-B99 are only Sicilian Defense.

Alekhine's Defense, ECO Codes B02-B05
1.e4 Nf6
Note: ECO Codes B02-B05 are only Alekhine's Defense.
• 41 Variations of the Alekhine's Defense ECO Codes B02-B05

Scandinavian Defense, ECO Code B01
1.e4 d5
Note: ECO Code B01 is only Scandinavian Defense.
• 17 Variations of the Scandinavian Defense ECO Code B01

Pirc Defense (Ufimtsev Defense or Yugoslav Defense), ECO Codes B07-B09
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 (g6)
Note: ECO Codes B07-B09 are only Pirc Defense.

• ECO Codes of the Closed Game Chess Openings
[Closed Games begin with 1.{other than e4} {any}]

Queen's Gambit, ECO Code D06-D69
1.d4 d5 2.c4
Note: ECO Codes D06-D69 are only Queen's Gambit.

Queen's Gambit Accepted, ECO Codes D20-D29
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dc
Note: ECO Codes D20-D29 are only Queen's Gambit Accepted.

Queen's Gambit Declined or Orthodox Defense, ECO Codes D30-D69
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6
Note: ECO Codes D30-D69 are only Queen's Gambit Declined.

Queen's Gambit Declined, Albin Countergambit, ECO Codes D08-D09
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5
Note: ECO Codes D08-D09 are only Queen's Gambit Declined, Albin Countergambit.

Queen's Gambit Declined, Chigorin Defense, ECO Codes D07
1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6
Note: ECO Code D07 is only Queen's Gambit Declined, Chigorin Defense.

Queen's Gambit Declined, Slav Defense, ECO Codes D10-D17
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
Note: ECO Codes D10-D17 are only Queen's Gambit Declined, Slav Defense.

Indian Defenses, ECO Codes A45-A79, D70-D99, E00-E99
1.d4 Nf6

Grunfeld Defense, ECO Codes D70-D99
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5

Nimzo-Indian Defense, ECO Codes E20-E59
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4

Dutch Defense, ECO Codes A80-A99
1.d4 f5

Budapest Gambit, ECO Codes A51-A52
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5

English Opening, ECO Codes A10-A39
1.c4

• About This Chess Opening Site

Reti Opening, ECO Codes A04-A09
1.Nf3 d5 2.c4

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Bird's Opening, ECO Codes A02-A03
1.f4

Above on this page of chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com, you can find a short reference on the ECO codes of the main chess openings and their variations which may have some interest for chess beginners to use. Please note that ECO stands for the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, and it is the professional chess opening classification according to the first opening moves.

What are ECO Codes of Chess Openings | Lesson 17

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I. Introduction

What are the ECO Codes of the chess openings?.. All chess openings are divided into the 3 main types by the first moves:
• Open Games chess openings: 1.e4   e5
• Semi-Open Games chess openings: 1.e4   other than e5
• Closed Games chess openings: 1.other than e4   other than e5.

For chess beginners, this chess opening division by the combination of the first moves is simple and understandable. But chess professionals use another approach in chess opening classification -- They use the ECO Codes. As chess beginner you should know them in general, and it is advisable for you to know the ECO Codes of the main chess openings (for example: If you learn and make a collection of the Sicilian Defense chess opening games, you must select ECO codes B20-B99 from the downloaded PGN files).

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II. ECO Codes: A, B, C, D, E

When you open an ECO Codes book, you may find something like A18, D34, E70, E95, C67, and the combination of the first moves...

This is a different Classification of chess openings and their variations. Let's go deeper into the ECO Codes classification to learn more about chess openings...

ECO stands for Encyclopedia of Chess Openings. By the ECO classification, all chess openings and their variations are divided into 5 main types A, B, C, D, E by the combination of the first moves:

• A
Includes all chess openings, which:
- first moves are: without 1.d4, 1.e4
- first moves are: 1.d4 without 1... Nf6, 1... d5
- first moves are: 1.d4 Nf6 without 2.c4
- first moves are: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 without 2... e6, 2... g6

• B
Includes all chess openings, which:
- first moves are: 1.e4 without 1... c5, 1... e6, 1... e5
- first moves are: 1.e4 c5
Note: Separated, Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5) is ECO Code B.

• C
Includes all chess openings, which:
- first moves are: 1.e4 e6
- first moves are: 1.e4 e5
Note: All Open Games chess openings (1.e4 e5) are ECO Code C.

• D
Includes all chess openings, which:
- first moves are: 1.d4 d5
- first moves are: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 with 3... d5

• E
Includes all chess openings, which:
- first moves are: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6
- first moves are: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 without 3... d5



III. ECO Codes: Number Subdivision 00-99

ECO Codes classification does not include any Names of chess openings and their variations: Just the letters, numbers, and the first moves... Each ECO type A, B, C, D, E is broken down into 100 subcategories, from 00 to 99. For example, let's see these ECO Code lines:

• C 23
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4
- without 2... Nf6
• C 24
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6

You know that the designated move order of Bishop's Opening is 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4. See the above ECO Code lines and compare. You see now that the ECO Codes of Bishop's Opening are C23-C24. If you have downloaded the Bishop-opening-sample.pgn file and PGN Viewer Program in Lesson 16: Download PGN Viewer Program, you already know that the main variations of Bishop's Opening are:

• Berlin Defense: 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6; ECO Code C24.
• Classical Defense (Boi Variation): 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5; ECO Code C23.
• Philidor Counterattack: 1.e4 e5 2. Bc4 c6; ECO Code C23.

• The Nc6 Variation: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6; ECO Code C23.
• The d6 Variation: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 d6; ECO Code C23.
• Calabrian (Calabrese) Countergambit: 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 f5; ECO Code C23.

See again the above ECO Code lines and compare. See that Berlin Defense variation, which is the main one of Bishop's Opening is ECO Code C24, and the rest variations of Bishop's Opening are ECO Code C23...

On the next lesson, we will learn why you should know the ECO Codes of the main chess openings. Its name will be ECO Codes of the Main Openings.

To see all chess opening lessons, click the following link:

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The next chess opening lesson is Lesson 18 (ECO Codes of the Main Openings).

Download PGN Viewer Program to Learn Chess Openings | Lesson 16

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To learn effectively chess openings, you are highly recommended to have in your possession a PGN Viewer Program to read PGN files. This lesson will give you information about PGN files and specific PGN Viewer Program (decent freeware). You will be provided with the sample PGN file Bishop-opening-sample.pgn and informed how to download the program in question.

Note. If you are not satisfied with the simplest PGN viewer program proposed for download on this page, you can get a free professional chess software (play chess with computer, find the best moves by chess engine, read/save PGN files, use it as chess opening explorer and more) as a benefit to buying a license of the PDF ebook 350 Chess Endgame Puzzles by Famous Composers, 7 USD.

Introduction

You must have special specific programs (software) to be able to open and read each file on your computer. For example, you must have:
- MS Notepad or similar program to read .TXT files;
- MS Word or similar program to read .DOC files;
- MS Paint or similar program to read .BMP files;
- Adobe Acrobat Reader program or similar to read .PDF files, etc.

There are special .PGN files which are designed for chess players. The .PGN files can be open and read by special PGN Viewer Programs. If you open a .PGN file by a PGN Viewer Program, you may:
- visually see and replay chess games;
- read game comments, see ECO codes of chess openings;
- create your own chess games database, and much more...

From this site, you will be provided with special chess openings .PGN files to learn openings more effectively. Today you can download special .PGN file to learn how to play the main variations of Bishop's Opening.

Step 1: Download the Bishop-opening-sample.pgn File

This file contains information about Bishop's Opening, its Variations and their Names, how to play, and more. When you open the file with a PGN Viewer Program, you will see the designated moves for all Variations of Bishop's Opening and the following data on Bishop Openings:

- general description of Bishop's Opening;
- Bishop's Opening ECO codes and main variations;
- winning probability for White and Black;
- how popular Bishop's Opening is at the chess master level today;
- how to play the main variations.

First you should download the Bishop-opening-sample.pgn file. It is only 7 KB. Then you should download the PGN Viewer Program which is described below. After, install the program, open the file, and see information on Bishop's Opening, main variations, how to play, and learn how to use the program.

To download the Bishop-opening-sample.pgn file, click the following link:

• Download the Bishop-Opening-Sample.PGN File (7 KB)

Note. The above file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.

Step 2: Download the PGN Viewer ChessPad Version 2.0.5

To download ChessPad Version 2.0.5 (a decent freeware PGN Viewer Program for Windows PC), click the following link:

• Download ChessPad Version 2.0.5 - PGN Viewer Program

Note. The link will open in a new window of your browser. At the top of the open page, under ChessPad 2.0.5 click Windows Installer (1.54 MB) to download the program and install it on your computer.

Conclusion

Download the Bishop-opening-sample.pgn file and freeware ChessPad Version 2.0.5. Use the file to learn how to use the program. Learning chess games within .pgn files may be powerful method of learning chess openings too. You can find the .pgn files in the Internet...

In short, the following is how to use ChessPad PGN Viewer. If you install the program correctly, you can click any .PGN file, and the program automatically open the file. You can also open the program first and then using the program's Database Menu open the .PGN file.

When you open the .PGN file, you will see the program's 2 Panels: Information Panel and Chess Board Panel. Click any line in the Information Panel first to see a game or chess position. Then within the Chess Board Panel, click and keep clicking the Next Move button ">>" to play the game or chess position...

• See All Lessons for Chess Beginners to Learn Openings

If you are serious about learning chess opening, you should have a PGN Viewer Program, and this site will provide you with the PGN opening files. On the next lesson, we will be learning what are the ECO codes of the chess openings... And thank you for your time!

10 Pieces of Advice to Play Chess Openings | Lesson 15

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This is Lesson 15 for chess beginners to learn chess openings, and it presents a special video which you can see below and the text below the video. If you are a chess opening novice, you should see the video and read the text below. If you want to know how to play chess openings in one place, this video is for you.

The below video will give you 10 pieces of advice how to play chess openings correctly. At the end of the video, you will see how Grandmasters are playing a chess opening in correct way -- by seeing, you will get a feel how to play an opening correctly... Below the video, read 10 pieces of advice on chess openings.

To see Lesson 15, click the Play button below:




The following is 10 pieces of advice how to play chess openings correctly:

Piece 1 of advice. Always remember about 3 main chess opening strategies: development, control of the center, king safety.
Piece 2 of advice. At beginning, open with the king pawn or with the queen pawn.
Piece 3 of advice. Develop the minor pieces first (knights, bishops). Note: The minor pieces are knights and bishops; the major pieces are queen and rooks.

Piece 4 of advice. Do not bring the queen out too early -- she may be attacked and you will lose a tempo. Note: You may bring the queen out if it is a designated move of an opening, or if your opponent does not know the Scholar's mate.
Piece 5 of advice. At opening, do not run for material. Note: Again, do it only if the opponent made a blunder.
Piece 6 of advice. Try to keep at least 1 pawn at the center of the board.

Piece 7 of advice. Think about your pawn structure -- bad pawn structure is not good for the endgame. Note: Avoid isolated, double pawns; avoid pawn islands too.
Piece 8 of advice. Try to move the minor pieces to a best place in one move.
Piece 9 of advice. Complete your development before moving a piece twice or starting an attack. Note: You may move a piece twice or start an attack if the opponent made a blunder or if your piece is being attacked.

Piece 10 of advice. At the end of the opening, estimate your position and prepare plan for the middlegame. Note: Your plan for the middlegame may includes the following things: to improve position, to open line and place the rooks, to exchange a "bad bishop" for a good one, to spoil the opponent pawn structure, to get more space, to prepare combination or attack, and much more...

Before learning the main chess opening variations, we will have a few lessons more. You are highly recommended to have one useful program (freeware) to learn chess openings effectively... Our next lesson will cover the following topic: Download a Chess Program to Learn Openings Effectively...

For now, you can already download the first chess pdf ebook "Chess Openings Puzzles" (128 KB). This ebook will help you quickly recognize the initial position of 32 main chess openings. To download this pdf ebook, please go to Lesson 8 | Download Chess Openings Puzzles eBook.

To better understand and easily navigate within this chess opening website for beginners, you can use the following links:

• About Chess-Openings-for-Beginners.Blogspot.com

• See All Chess Opening Lessons on This Website

On this lesson, you have seen the video and read the text about 10 pieces of advice how to correctly play chess at the opening phase...

Chess Opening May Appear by Different Move Order | Lesson 14

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This Lesson 14 to learn chess openings for beginners will show you a video on the following topic. Each chess opening has its own initial position and the designated moves. But sometimes chess opening may appear by different move order. In this case, it may be difficult to recognize the opening because the initial look of the chess opening may change as well.

In the below video, you will see an example of Grundfeld Defense with different move order... To see Lesson 14, click the Play button below:



You have already learned 3 Main Strategies of Chess Openings, the initial positions of 32 main chess openings and theirs designated moves. Until you learn the main chess opening variations, you should have some advices how to play chess openings. Also, you are recommended to have one useful program (freeware) to learn chess openings effectively... Our next lesson will cover the following topic: 10 Advices for chess beginners how to play chess openings...

You may already downloaded the chess pdf ebook "Chess Openings Puzzles" (128 KB). This ebook will help you quickly recognize the initial position of 32 main chess openings and their designated moves. To download this pdf ebook, please go to Lesson 8 | Download Chess Openings Puzzles eBook.

To better understand chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com and easily navigate within this site, you can use the following links:

• About This Site     • Chess Opening Sitemap - All Lessons

This chess opening website site is designed for chess beginners (mainly) and intermediate players to learn chess openings, one by one, by text, video, big pictures, small images, PDF ebooks and PGN files. The domain name of this chess opening website is chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com.

A Chess Opening May Turn into Another One | Lesson 13

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This Lesson 13 to learn chess openings for beginners is chess video which demonstrates that one chess opening may turn into another one... The video will show you a simple example with Bishop's Opening. There are more samples like this when one chess opening turns into another...

To see Lesson 13, click the Play button below:



Before you start to learn the variations of the main chess openings... Our next lessons will cover the following topic that you must understand: Chess opening may appear by different move order. This will be shown on our next lesson - see Lesson 14 in the list of all lessons on chess openings...

For now, you may already downloaded the chess pdf ebook "Chess Openings Puzzles" (128 KB). This ebook will help you recognize the initial position of 32 main chess openings. You can download this pdf ebook on this page: Lesson 8 | Download Chess Openings Puzzles eBook.

To better understand chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com and easily navigate within this site, you can use the following links:

• About This Site     • Chess Opening Sitemap - All Lessons

This chess opening website is designed for beginners (mainly) and intermediate players to learn the main chess openings one by one. You will be able to learn the main chess openings on-site using the provided text, video, big pictures, small images, PDF ebooks and PGN files. The web address of this website is chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com. You may find this website on Google using the following keywords (typing all of them): chess openings beginners blogspot.

Training to Recognize Next 7 Closed Game Chess Openings | Lesson 12

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This is Lesson 12 for chess beginners to learn chess openings. On this lesson you can see chess video which proposes you to take chess opening Quiz Number 4. The aim of this quit is to recognize next 7 Closed Games chess openings (Part II) by their initial positions. Note. Closed Games begin with the following moves: 1. other than e4 (for White)     1.. other than e5 (for Black).

The chess opening quiz includes the following 7 Closed Games: Queen's Gambit Declined or Orthodox Defense (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6); Queen's Gambit Declined, Albin Countergambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5); Queen's Gambit Declined, Chigorin Defense (1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6); Queen's Gambit Declined, Slav Defense (1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6); Dutch Defense (1.d4 f5); Budapest Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5); and English Opening (1.c4). Try to recognize them visually...

In today's video, you will meet QGD which stands for Queen's Gambit Declined. To see Lesson 12 and take chess opening Quiz 4 to recognize Close Games, click the Play button below:



Before learning the main variations of the main chess openings... Our next lessons will cover the following topic that you must understand: One chess opening may turn into another one. This will be demonstrated by the next video...

You may already download on this site the first chess pdf ebook "Chess Openings Puzzles" (128 KB). This ebook will help you quickly recognize the initial position of 32 main chess openings. To download this pdf ebook, please go to Lesson 8 | Download Chess Openings Puzzles eBook.

More links at chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com (to find our site on Google, use the following keywords -- chess openings beginners blogspot):

• Chess Opening Sitemap - See All Lessons

This chess opening website is designed for beginners (mainly) and intermediate players to learn the main chess openings one by one. You will be able to learn the main chess openings on-site using the provided text, video, big pictures, small images, PDF ebooks and PGN files. The domain name of this website is chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com. You may find this website on Google using the following keywords (typing all of them): chess openings beginners blogspot.

Training to Recognize 7 Closed Game Chess Openings | Lesson 11

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Lesson 11 is chess video which proposes you to take chess opening Quiz Number 3. The aim of this quiz is to recognize Closed Games chess openings (Part I) by their initial positions. The chess opening quiz includes the following 7 Closed Games:

Bird's Opening (1.f4), Indian Defenses (1.d4 Nf6), Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4), Queen's Gambit Accepted (1.d4 d5 2.c4 dc), Reti Opening (1.Nf3 d5 2.c4), Grunfeld Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5), and Nimzo-Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4).

Note. Closed Games start with the following moves: 1. other than e4 (for White)     1.. other than e5 (for Black). Try to recognize them visually... To see Lesson 11 and take chess opening Quiz 3 to recognize some Close Games (Part I), click the Play button below:



Before learning the main variations of the main chess openings... Our next lessons will cover the following topics: the last chess opening quiz, general advises for beginners how to play openings, downloading special chess program, downloading special chess opening files, and more...

You may already download on this site the first chess pdf ebook "Chess Openings Puzzles" (128 KB). This ebook will help you quickly recognize the initial position of 32 main chess openings. To download this pdf ebook, please go to Lesson 8 | Download Chess Openings Puzzles eBook.

More links at chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com:

• Chess Openings - See All Lessons

This chess opening site is designed for beginners (mainly) and intermediate players to learn the main chess openings one by one -- learning them by text, video, PDF and PGN files. The web address of this site is chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com.

Learn Next 7 Closed Game Chess Openings by Moves | Lesson 10

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Today you can see the chess video (see it below) to study how recognize the next 7 Closed Games chess openings by their designated moves (Part II). Note. Closed Games chess openings start with the following moves: 1. other than e4 (for White)     1.. other than e5 (for Black). For example, 1.d4 f5.

This lesson proposes you the following 7 Closed Games: Grunfeld Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5), Nimzo-Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4), Dutch Defense (1.d4 f5), Budapest Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5), English Opening (1.c4), Reti Opening (1.Nf3 d5 2.c4), and Bird's Opening (1.f4).

Learn to know... To see Lesson 10 to recognize 7 Close Game openings by the initial positions (Part II), click the Play button below:



All lessons on chess openings are designed for chess beginners. They will be available as chess videos to learn visually and chess pdf ebooks, which will be available at a later stage. Chess opening .PGN files will be available as well.

You may already downloaded on this site the first chess pdf ebook "Chess Openings Puzzles" (128 KB). This ebook will help you quickly recognize the initial position of 32 main chess openings. To download this chess pdf ebook, please go to Lesson 8 | Download Chess Openings Puzzles eBook.

More links on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com:

• Chess Openings - See All Lessons

This site is designed for chess beginners to learn the main chess openings one by one -- learning them by text, video, PDF and PGN files.

Learn 7 Closed Game Chess Openings by Moves | Lesson 9

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Today you can see the chess video (see it below) to study how to recognize 7 Closed Games chess openings by their designated moves (Part I). Note. Closed Games chess openings start with the following moves: 1. other than e4 (for White)     1.. other than e5 (for Black). For example, 1.d4 Nf6. This lesson proposes you learn how to recognize the following 7 Closed Games chess openings:

Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4); Queen's Gambit Accepted (1.d4 d5 2.c4 dc); Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD) or Orthodox Defense (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6); Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD), Albin Countergambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5); Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD), Chigorin Defense (1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6); Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD), Slav Defense (1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6); and Indian Defenses (1.d4 Nf6). Learn to know...

To see Lesson 9 to recognize 7 Close Game openings by the initial positions (Part I), click the Play button below:



All lessons about chess openings are designed for chess beginners. They will be available as chess videos to learn visually and chess pdf ebooks to download and learn by reading. Chess pdf ebooks will be available at a later stage. Chess opening .PGN files will be available as well.

All lessons on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com:

• Chess Openings for Beginners - See All Lessons

Today you have learned the names of 7 closed game chess openings by their designated moves: Queen's Gambit; Queen's Gambit Accepted; Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD) or Orthodox Defense; Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD), Albin Countergambit; Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD), Chigorin Defense ; Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD), Slav Defense; and Indian Defenses.

Download Free PDF eBook Chess Opening Puzzles - Lesson 8

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Below you can download free chess PDF ebook to learn and recognize the names of 32 main chess openings by their initial positions and moves. The name of the above chess opening PDF ebook is "Chess Openings Puzzles." All puzzles are divided into 3 groups: Open Games, Semi-Open Games, and Closed Game puzzles. The answers are enclosed, 32 puzzles in total, 128 KB to download.

I. Chess Opening PDF eBook: A Picture

   Chess Opening Puzzle 9

What is the name of this chess opening?
See answer on page 7 (see below)

The answer:
Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5
Back to Puzzle 9 on page 2 (as in the ebook)

PDF ebook "Chess Openings Puzzles" will help you learn 32 main chess openings which are the most common in the game of chess. You will be able to remember and recognize these openings by their designated moves and their designated positions. You can read more about this chess opening PDF ebook below.

II. Chess Opening PDF eBook: About

The chess PDF ebook covers the following chess openings: King's Gambit; Bishop's Opening; Latvian Gambit; Vienna Game; Center Game; Philidor Defense; Petrov Defense; Ruy Lopez; Italian Game; Scotch Game; Two Knights Defense; Four Knights Game; Caro-Kann Defense; French Defense; Sicilian Defense; Alekhine's Defense; Scandinavian Defense; Pirc Defense (Ufimtsev Defense or Yugoslav Defense);

Queen's Gambit; Queen's Gambit Accepted; Queen's Gambit Declined or Ortodox Defense; Queen's Gambit Declined, Albin Countergambit; Queen's Gambit Declined, Chigorin Defense; Queen's Gambit Declined, Slav Defense; Indian Defenses; Grunfeld Defense; Nimzo-Indian Defense; Dutch Defense; Budapest Gambit; English Opening; Reti Opening; Bird's Opening.

III. Chess Opening PDF eBook: Download

For your comfort, you are recommended to use the ebook's internal cross-reference navigation: Click a puzzle link to see the answer, and then click the answer link to return back. To download this chess pdf ebook under the name of "Chess Opening Puzzles," click the link below:

• Download Free PDF eBook Chess Opening Puzzles, 128 KB

Note 1. The above file will be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download the PDF ebook.
Note 2. Please be advised that the above link will open in a new window of your web browser -- so, you can close it after downloading the file.

• Chess-Openings-for-Beginners.Blogspot.com

On this page, you have downloaded the free chess PDF ebook "Chess Opening Puzzles." Using this chess opening ebook, you will be able to spot 32 main chess openings by their initial positions and learn their designated moves... In other words, you will learn the names of 32 main chess openings.

Training to Recognize 5 Semi-Open Game Chess Openings | Lesson 7

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This is Lesson 7 for chess beginners to learn the main chess openings. Today, you can see the below video to take Chess Opening Quiz Number 2 on Semi-Open Game chess openings, namely on: Sicilian Defense, French Defense, Alekhine's Defense, Scandinavian Defense, and Caro-Kann Defense.

Note. Remember that the Semi-Open Games start with the following first moves: 1.e4 for White and 1...any move other than e5 for Black. The below video will help you train yourself to spot the Semi-Open Game chess openings by their positions after their initial moves. Here is a short description of the video:

The video runs for 1 min. 59 sec. It shows the initial positions of the above openings and ask you to recognize them one by one. See the initial position after 1.e4 c5 (this is Sicilian Defense), after 1. e4 e6 2.d4 d5 (this is French Defense), etc.. To take Chess Opening Quiz Number 2 on Semi-Open Games, click the Play button below:



This chess blog is designed for beginners to learn chess openings. Each opening lesson is explained by text description, by video, or by special files (free pdf ebooks and PGN files) which can be downloaded on this site. To open PGN files and analize chess games, you will need a PGN viewer -- see Lesson 16.

To find links to all chess opening lessons, use the following sitemap link:

• Chess Openings Sitemap - See All Lessons

This was Lesson 7 on learning chess openings one by one -- you took Chess Quiz Number 2 on Semi-Open Game chess openings. The next Lesson 8 will propose you to download free PDF ebook under the name of Chess Opening Puzzles to recognize all openings by their initial positions and their initial moves.

Learn 5 Semi-Open Game Chess Openings by Moves | Lesson 6

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This is Lesson 6 for beginners to learn the main chess openings. Today you will see a video to recognize Semi-Open game chess openings by their first moves, namely: Caro-Kann Defense, French Defense, Sicilian Defense, Alekhine's Defense, and Scandinavian Defense.

You should know that Semi-Open games are the chess openings that start with the following first moves of White and Black: 1. e4    any move other than e5 (e. g. 1.e4 c6). Here is a short description of the video: The video runs for 1 min 59 sec. It shows the first moves of the following Semi-Open game chess openings:

Caro-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6), French Defense (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5), Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5), Alekhine's Defense (1.e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5), and Scandinavian Defense (1.e4 d5). It will help you learn to recognize the above openings. To see Lesson 6 on identifying Semi-Open game chess openings, click the Play button below:



This site is designed for chess beginners to learn the main chess openings. Each chess opening lesson is explained by text, video, and by special free pdf ebooks and PGN files that can be downloaded onsite. Sitemap of this site provides the links to all chess opening lessons.

To find links to all chess opening lessons, you can use the following link:

• Chess Opening Sitemap - See All Lessons

This was Lesson 6 for chess beginners to learn the main chess openings. The next Lesson 7 is Chess Quiz 2 on Semi-Open game chess openings to remember the first designated moves of Semi-Open games which start with the following move order: 1.e4   any move other than e5.

Training to Recognize 12 Open Game Chess Openings | Lesson 5

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This is Lesson 5 to learn chess opening, and this lesson is designed mainly for chess beginners. On this lesson, you will have a training to recognize the Open Games chess openings by their initial positions. The training is provided by a chess video below to quickly spot 12 most common Open Games.

Test yourself and try to spot the following 12 Open Games chess openings by their initial positions, namely: King's Gambit, Bishop's Opening, Latvian Gambit, Vienna Game, Center Game, Philidor Defense, Petrov Defense, Ruy Lopez, Italian Game, Scotch Game, Two Knights Defense, and Four Knights Game...

The Open Games are the chess openings that start with 1. e4 e5. The Open Game openings are always recommended for chess beginners to be studied first... Here is a short description of the video below: The video proceeds for 3 min. 17 sec. It shows the initial positions of 12 Open Game chess openings, one by one.

First see an opening position to try to spot the name of an Open Game chess opening, and then see the correct answer (is it a Ruy Lopez or, for example, Italian Game?)... To see Lesson 5 which is Chess Openings Quiz Number 1 on 12 most common Open Games, click the Play button below:



All lessons about chess openings are designed for beginners and intermediate chess players. They are available via text, video, PDF ebooks and PGN files (using PGN file you can see and replay chess games recorded inside the PGN file via a PGN Viewer program -- PGN files and PGN Viewer program can be downloaded on this site).

To find more links on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com:

• Chess Openings for Beginners - See All Links

To download PDF ebook to learn the first moves of 32 chess openings:

• Download PDF eBook Chess Opening Puzzles, 128 KB

Note 1. The above file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.
Note 2. Be advised that the above link will open in a new window of your browser.

You can also visit another site at Chess Videos Blog.

This was Lesson 5 to learn chess openings, and it was designed mainly for chess beginners. The lesson was intended to provide you with a short video training to recognize 12 most common Open Games chess openings by their initial positions. The next lesson to see is Lesson 6 (Recognize Semi-Open Games) ...

Recognize 12 Open Game Chess Openings by Moves | Lesson 4

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This is Lesson 4 for beginners and intermediate players to learn chess openings. Today we will see the video to recognize 12 most common Open Game chess openings by their moves. The Open Game chess openings begin with 1. e4 e5, and they are always recommended to be first to learn.

There are 12 most common Open Games (chess openings): King's Gambit, Bishop's Opening, Latvian Gambit, Vienna Game, Center Game, Philidor Defense, Petrov Defense, Ruy Lopez, Italian Game, Scotch Game, Two Knights Defense, Four Knights Game. See the video below and learn to know Open Games...

Here is short description of the video. There are 12 Open Game chess openings. See and learn them by their first moves: King's Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4), Bishop's Opening (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4), Latvian Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Kf3 f5), Vienna Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nc3), Center Game (1.e4 e5 2.d4 ed 3.Qxd4), Philidor Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6),

Petrov Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6), Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5), Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5), Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 ed), Two Knights Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6), Four Knights Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6). You can replay the below video to visually spot 12 Open Games...

To see a video about chess openings and to have good training on how to visually recognize 12 most popular Open Games by their moves, click the Play button below:



All lessons on this chess opening website are designed mainly for chess beginners, and some of the lessons are intended for intermediate players. You can use the links below to see all chess opening lessons, or download a PDF ebook to recognize 32 main chess openings by their moves.

See all lessons on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com:

• Chess Openings for Beginners - See All Lessons

Download PDF ebook to recognize chess openings by their moves:

• Download PDF eBook Chess Opening Puzzles, 128 KB

Note 1. The above file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.
Note 2. The above link will open in a new window of your browser.

This was Lesson 4 for chess beginners to learn chess openings. On this lesson, you have had a training to visually recognize 12 most common Open Games chess openings by their moves. The next lesson to see is Lesson 5 (Chess Quiz Number 1 to remember 12 Open Game chess openings by their initial positions)...

Names of Chess Openings and Their Recognition | Lesson 3

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Each chess opening has its own name. But how to spot the name of a chess opening?.. It is not difficult if you know the designated moves of a chess opening. The name of a chess opening is recognized by the first moves of White and Black on the board. It may be 1 move, 2 moves, 3 moves, or even more; in strict or other order...



For example, 1.c4 (see above) - what is the name of this chess opening? Then, what is the name of chess opening with 1.e4 c6? The following is some names of the chess openings recognized by their moves: English Opening (1.c4); Caro-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6); Bishop's Opening (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4); Alekhine's Defense (1.e4 Nf6);

Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5)... At the bottom of this page, you can download the "Chess Opening Puzzles" PDF ebook . This PDF ebook will help you recognize 32 names of chess openings by their designated moves. After seeing this PDF ebook, you will learn the moves of 32 most common openings in play...

How many chess openings are there? Which ones are the most common in chess?.. The answers to those questions you will find in a video below. And here is a short description of the video: Each opening has its own name. The name is recognized by the first moves: King's Gambit, Italian Game...

Each opening has variations with their own moves... Roughly, there are 60 popular chess openings. You should learn 15-20 of them. See which openings are the most common ones... To see Lesson 3 about names and recognition of chess openings, with some additional information, click the Play button below:



Download PDF ebook to learn the names of 32 main chess openings:

• Download Chess Opening Puzzles PDF eBook, 128 KB

Note 1. The above file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.
Note 2. The above link will open in a new window of your browser.

See all links on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com:

• Chess Openings for Beginners Sitemap - See All Links

See more chess videos at Chess Video Blog -- on another chess blog.

On this lesson we have discussed the names of chess openings and how to recognize them. You also downloaded the chess opening puzzle PDF ebook to learn the moves of the most common chess openings. The next lesson to see is Lesson 4 which will help you recognize the Open Game chess openings... This is chess opening website chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com.

Chess Opening Classifications by First Moves | Lesson 2

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There are several chess opening classifications, and today we will study the simplest chess opening classification, namely: 3-type chess opening classification by the first moves in a game. According to this classification, openings are divided into 3 types. Each type is recognized by the first moves of White and Black and is characterized by specific features.

Notes. In addition to the 3-type chess opening classification, we will also discuss the 7-type chess opening classification and professional opening classification by ECO codes. Because the current chess opening website is designed mainly for beginners, all chess openings on-site will be presented using the simplest 3-type opening classification.

If you need a reference to the ECO code chess opening classification, see Lessons 17 and 18 on this website. You may need this reference (chess opening classification by ECO codes) if you are creating your own PGN files with specific openings or variations to learn. To regularly download PGN files with the latest games of chess masters, see Lesson 19...

Below is 3 types of chess opening classification by the first moves:
1. Open Games (they start with 1.e4   e5).
2. Semi-Open Games (they start with 1.e4   other than e5).
3. Closed Games (they start with 1.other than e4   other than e5).



The next are few examples. Open Games: Bishop's Opening (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4); King's Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4); Center Game (1.e4 e5 2.d4 ed 3.Qxd4). Semi-Open Games: Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5); French Defense (1.e4 e6); Caro-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6). Closed Games: Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4); English Opening (1.c4).

Below you can see a video on our topic and download a PDF ebook on chess openings at the bottom of this page. Here is short description of the video: There are 3 types of chess openings recognized by the first moves of White and Black. They are: Open Games, Semi-Open Games, and Closed Games chess openings.

See 2 examples of each type of chess openings; see how they start... Learn the main characteristics of each type (you can read the main characteristics of each type also below the video)... The video runs for 2 min 48 sec. To see the lesson on 3 main types of chess openings and their features, click the Play button below:



The following is the main characteristics of each type of chess openings classified by the first moves. Open Game chess openings characteristics: • the oldest and most studied openings, • tense struggle from the very beginning, • combinations, attacks, sacrifices. Semi-Open Game chess openings characteristics: • slow and cautious struggle, • usually passive but strong defense for Black. Closed Game chess openings characteristics: • long positional play; • popular at highest levels of chess.

As a chess beginner, first you should learn and know how to play the Open Game chess openings (they start with 1.e4   e5). The list of the most popular Open Game chess openings includes: Bishop's Opening, King's Gambit, Latvian Gambit, Center Game, Danish Gambit, Vienna Game, Philidor Defense, Petroff Defense, Ponziani Opening, Scotch Game, Scotch Gambit, Italian Game, Evans Gambit, Hungarian Defense, Two Knights Defense, Four Knights Game, and Ruy Lopez.

To learn how to play the Open Game chess openings:

• Learn Open Game Chess Openings - One by One

Notes. Other divisions of the chess opening are that by ECO codes and 7-type chess opening classification. To learn the ECO code division, see Lessons 17 and 18 on this website. The 7-type opening classification divides the chess openings into 7 groups: Open Games (1.e4 e5), Semi-Open Games (1.e4 other than e5), Closed Games (1.d4 d5), Semi-Closed Games (1.other than d4 other than d5), Indian Defenses (1.d4 Nf6), Flank Openings (1.White moves c-pawn or f-pawn), and Unusual Openings (others).

To see all lessons on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com:

• Chess Opening - See All Lessons

To download free PDF ebook to recognize 32 main openings:

• Free PDF eBook - Chess Openings Puzzles, 128 KB

Note 1. The above file is to be downloaded from Google Drive. First click the above link to open, then click the download icon to download.
Note 2. The above link will open in a new window of your browser.

On this chess opening lesson (Lesson 2 on this website), we have discussed chess opening classifications paying the main attention to the simplest 3-type chess opening classification by the first moves. There are also the 7-type opening classification and professional classification by ECO codes...

Chess Openings and 3 Main Strategies | Lesson 1

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Let's start our first lesson for beginners to learn chess openings. Playing opening in chess is like building foundation of your own house. The stronger foundation of your own house, the stronger house you will get -- and it means the following: If you play chess opening stronger and better than your chess opponent, you will have more chances to win a chess game.

Important. Before you begin Lesson 1, please remember the following: You may not follow 3 main strategies in playing chess opening which are highlighted in this lesson below, if you play a hypermodern chess opening (for example, the Alekhine Defense, the Nimzovich Defense) or a hypermodern chess opening system called the Hedgehog.

Chess Openings and 3 Main Strategies

When you are playing a chess opening in the game of chess, it is very important to know and follow the next 3 main chess opening strategies:
1. Development (Mobilization).
2. Control of the Center.
3. King Safety.



To better understand 3 main strategies of playing chess openings, you are highly recommended to see the video below. Here is short description of the video. Chess openings are important and they are usually the first 10-15 moves. Learn the Open Game chess openings first. Remember about 3 main strategies at playing openings!

See to understand what is development (mobilization) and what to do for developing your pieces. See what it means to control the center and king safety (castling). Playing chess opening is like preparing for real battle... To see the video on 3 main strategies of playing chess openings, click the Play button below. The video runs for 2 min 29 sec.



Remember about chess openings and 3 main strategies!!! Below is short reminder for the above video: - opening is very important in a game of chess; - take playing chess opening as the first 10-15 moves; - learn the Open Game chess openings first (they start with e4 e5); - Open Game chess openings are the best for beginners to understand how to begin a game;

- always remember about development (mobilization), control of the center, and king safety at opening; - for development, first develop minor pieces (knights and bishops); - without need, don't touch the queen (you may touch the queen at beginning only if it is a designated move of the opening or its variation -- as example, study the Scandinavian Defense chess opening (Lesson 44));

- remember about control of the center (the center is dominating place on the board; while controlling the center, you will have more power and shift capacity); - remember about king safety (at beginning the king is vulnerable in the middle of the board; secure the king and make the castling move between the 5th - 10th move);

- playing chess opening is like preparing for battle, namely: mobilize the force to have the power (more pieces developed -- more force at hand, more power you have), get the key positions on the board (take the center of the board as the main dominating position), and secure your HQ (your king) in order not to loose the battle...

Notes. All lessons to learn chess openings on this site are designed for chess beginners and intermediate players. They are explained via text, pictures, chess videos, PDF and PGN files to download and learn by replaying and seeing chess games. You will find information on ECO codes, where to download PGN viewer and PGN files...

You will get enough material to learn Bishop's Opening, King's Gambit, Danish Gambit, Center Game, Vienna Game, Philidor Defense, Petroff Defense, Ponziani Opening, Scotch Game, Scotch Gambit, Italian Game, Evans Gambit, Hungarian Defense, Ruy Lopez, Sicilian Defense, and many more...

• How to Quickly Learn Chess Openings (for Beginners)

To see all lessons on chess openings on this website:

• Chess Opening Sitemap - See All Lessons (inside)

For the king safety, you can learn the castling rules here:

• Chess Castling Move - Learn Its Rules (video outside)

This was Lesson 1, which stated the importance of 3 main strategies at playing chess openings -- development (mobilization), control of the center, and king safety. Do not forget to put together playing chess openings and 3 main strategies at a game of chess! The next Lesson 2 will explain you 3 main types of chess openings...

Important. You may not follow 3 main strategies in playing chess opening which were highlighted above, if you play a hypermodern chess opening (for example, the Alekhine Defense, the Nimzovich Defense) or a hypermodern chess opening system called the Hedgehog -- when you do not fight for the center but attack it from a distance, or when you create a hedgehog defense system like a hedgehog...

Thank you for visiting and welcome on chess-openings-for-beginners.blogspot.com! On this site, you can learn chess strategies, chess opening theory, and real chess openings one by one by text, video, pictures, PDF and PGN files. To find this website on Google, you can use the following keywords: chess openings beginners blogspot.