Guides

Openings & Strategy

Start your games well and know what to do next, from opening moves to middlegame plans.

The opening principles · 6 min read Beginner

Develop your pieces, control the center, and get your king safe.

The opening principles · 5 min read Beginner

Tempo in the opening and why fast development wins games.

Best first openings for White · 7 min read Beginner

A natural, principled setup you can play in almost every game.

Best first openings for White · 7 min read Beginner

One simple setup that works against nearly anything Black tries.

Best first openings for Black · 7 min read Under 1000

Meet the king's pawn opening with a solid, natural plan.

Best first openings for Black · 7 min read Under 1000

Develop smoothly without memorizing long theoretical lines.

How to respond to 1.e4 · 6 min read Under 1000

Your first few moves against the most common opening in chess.

How to respond to 1.d4 · 6 min read Under 1000

A reliable, easy-to-remember plan against the queen's pawn opening.

Common opening traps and how to dodge them · 5 min read Beginner

The four-move checkmate every beginner should know from both sides.

Common opening traps and how to dodge them · 6 min read Under 1000

Spot these early tricks before they cost you the whole game.