Black’s first moves
Playing white can be accessible in some ways. The first move is the first brush stroke on a blank paper. The initiative is given to you when you start the game. Black must respond to your plans and moves. White is usually equal in position if you make mistakes. Black, however, can make a few mistakes early and land you in serious trouble. All you know about fast developing and getting castled is double for black. Black tries to equalize the position and reduce white’s advantage at the beginning of the game. Black usually presses for a benefit only after this is achieved.
This tutorial will show you how to react to white’s good opening actions: 1. e4, 1..d4, and 1..c4. 1. While Nf3 can be a good move as well, white will often find it impossible to play without moving a central piece. Remember the opening principle if you play black and white is using another move. It would help if you controlled the center, developed your pieces, and did not waste time moving the same thing around.
1. e4 and e5 – King’s pawn openings
If white opens by moving a king-pawn two spaces, you should reply the same. This is the best straightforward way to play. While other defenses like 1…c5 and 1…e6 can be played, they often have more complex plans and ideas that are best left to more experienced players. White can play in many different ways after the initial pawn moves. Below are the most popular.
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 – The Italian Game/Giuoco Piano
This opening is the oldest of all of the chess theories. It is also known as the Giuoco Piano or the Italian Game (or ‘Quiet Game’ in Italian). This opening is the easiest to learn and most straightforward. Black should also bring out the pieces and make them good squares.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. O-O Nf6
Black will be next to the castle and can consider developing the queenside.
2. Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 – The Scotch Game
Scotch Game is another old opening. White should make an early break in its center. As usual, black should make pieces:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4
Black is recommended to capture on the d4 or else the white Pawn can push on and occupy the d5 position. 3… d6 4. d5
4. Nxd4 Bc5
Black will soon bring out the knight and castle. Capturing the knight on D4 is not a good idea. 4… Nxd4 5 Qxd4 is the white queen drawn into the center. While it’s not a great idea to draw the queen in early, black doesn’t have a knight on B8 that can attack it. The queen is therefore left on a solid square in the middle of the board, stopping black from gaining a good square.
2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 – The Ruy Lopez/Spanish Game
Ruy Lopez, a Spanish priest from 16th century Spain, was one of the most influential players of his time. The Ruy Lopez, or Spanish Game, is his opening. It is one of the most well-known ways to play at the highest level. White calls out a bishop to attack the defending knight of black. The Ruy Lopez is one of the finest well-known openings. However, it has a lot of theories. Here we will look at a simple solution called the Classical Defense or Cordel Defence.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5 4. O-O
The e-pawn is not for white. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nxe5 isn’t possible, as black can play 5…Qd4 is attacking both the knight and the pawn.
4… Nf6
Black’s pieces look well-developed and ready for their next move.
1. d4 and d5 – Queen’s pawn openings
White starts with the queen’s pawn, and the game takes on a new character. The queen protects the pawn, which is not the case with the kings. This means that it is low likely to be attacked or captured. Games tend to move at a slower pace and require more maneuvering. By responding to 1.d4, you should push your queen’s pawn two spaces. You should usually develop your knight to f6 and your bishop to e7 in the queen’s pawn openings. Take this example:
1. d4 d5 2. c4
This is the Queen’s Gambit. It’s the most common way to play at higher levels, although you might see it less often at the beginner level. White wants to take black’s pawn from the center. It’s possible to capture, but it’s much easier to decline the offer.
2… e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7
Black will be next to the castle. You can still play the same game even if you don’t have the Queen’s Gambit.
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. Bg5 Be7
In the queen’s openings of pawns, it is essential to avoid blocking your c-pawn by your knight. This is what white did in this instance. For example, you can use your pawn to attack the opponent’s center.
5. e3 O-O 6. Bd3 c5
Black’s rooks may be activated on the c file when the pawns have been exchanged.
1. c4 and e5 – English Opening
The English opening is 1. c4, named after Howard Staunton, an English 19th-century master chess player. He lent his name to promote Staunton pattern pieces of chess – the most widely used chess set – in one the oldest sports sponsorship deals. It is a clever opening that skilled strategists favor. However, there is an easy way to defeat it. This should be well-known from the king’s pawn openings.
1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3 Bc5 4. Bg2 O-O
Yes, black can create the knight, bishop, castle, and king’s openings. This simple strategy of rapid development and casting long is efficient and safe.