Chess Opening

The beginning part of a Chess game, during which the players develop all or most of their pieces is called the opening. Throughout Chess history, players have been studying the various ways to start Chess games, that is, developing the Chess pieces. There are hundreds of possibilities, and variations on those possibilities, each affecting the outcome of the game. Experienced players eventually develop favorite moves, and many of these Openings, or Opening Books, have names. Whatever the Openings may be, there is a basic pattern of developing the Chess pieces. This can be termed as the theory of Chess openings. The theory of Chess Openings appeared in the 16th century. But in a true sense, modern Chess opening theories appeared after 1850s.

Opening Theories

 The opening moves of a chess game are made to reach certain aims. These are center control, fast development of pieces, exchange motives, space control, initiative, etc.

Center control

Controlling the center is very important in chess. d4, d5, e4 and e5 – these four squares are generally called the center. It has long been recognized by good players that he who controls these squares has a far better grip on the position than he who does not. The squares around these squares are no less important. Control of the center may be obtained through actual occupation of the squares by pieces or Pawns, or it may come through pressure exerted on the squares from afar.

Fast development of Power or Force

As in every battlefield, fast development of pieces is also essential in chess. It follows a distinct pattern. Let us see:

1.  One should try to control the center, or as many squares as possible. Chess pieces should be developed in such a way that a central square comes under control with each move. Tension should be maintained in the center as long as possible.

2.  A player should complete seven essential moves within the first twelve moves. These moves are- two pawn moves (generally KP and QP), two Knight’s move (generally KN to f3 and QN to c3 squares), two Bishop’s move (generally KB to e2, d3, c4 or b5 square, and QB to e3, f4 or g5 square), and one castling. After completing these seven moves, one can start thinking about the best square for his Queen. After the Queen’s move the squares between the two Rooks would become clear and they can take part in the game by occupying a central open file.  With these moves all the pieces would be best placed and ready for an attack against the enemy king position. 

3.  Castling should be completed within the first ten moves in order to safeguard one’s King from hostile attack. If one concentrates on development, the opportunity to castle will come automatically. If one’s development is bad, the chances are that castling will be postponed or become impossible.

4.  Knights should be developed before Bishops. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean one has to play out both the Knights first. As soon as one Knight has been moved one can start thinking about the best squares for a Bishop.

5.  Aimless early moves with the Queen should be avoided in the opening, which expose her to attack immediately or in a short time. Only the achievement of definite and favorable objective can justify early Queen moves.

6.  Moving the same piece or Pawn twice should be avoided in the opening, “unless there is some good practical reason for the repetition”. This should not be made a hard and fast rule, but one will have a satisfactory opening if he remembers that he must achieve the previously mentioned seven moves by the twelfth move or so.

7.  Excessive Pawn advances should be avoided in the opening. This will only weaken one’s Pawns and condemn one’s more important pieces to do menial sentry duty guarding exposed Pawns.

8.  Black’s opening play must generally be more conservative than White’s. Being a move behind, Black must generally refrain from premature aggression, which may recoil on him disastrously.

Space Control

Space control means controlling as many squares as possible. To gain control of space one should develop his pieces in such a way that they can control the maximum number of squares possible.

Castling

Castling is a very important aspect of Chess opening. At the very beginning King’s safety is maintained by the wall of the central Pawns. Correct opening strategy requires center control by both Pawns and pieces, and since this frequently implies the advancing of the KP and QP to occupy the center, the natural protection of the King by these two Pawns often disappears early in the game and the King’s safety is severely weakened. This is why the King tries to escape the dangerous territory by castling. In addition to this, the castle side Rook more easily participates in the play.

Initiative

A very important temporary advantage in a chess game is the initiative, which carries with it the power to harass the opponent and to make him play to one’s tune.

Open and half-open lines

Open lines are files or diagonals completely unobstructed by Pawns. The player controlling these lines with pieces gets great advantages. The opponent will try to neutralize the play along the files or diagonals by placing pieces of his own along the same lines. Rooks are normally used along the files; Bishops, along diagonals. Half-open lines are those unobstructed by one’s own Pawns but blocked by an opponent’s Pawns.

Classification of Chess Openings

Chess openings are generally classified under three major heads: Open Games, Semi-open Games and Closed Games.

Open Games

Openings with 1 e4 are generally classified under Open Games. The Giuoco Piano (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5), the King’s Gambit (1 e4 e5 2 f4 exf4), the Ruy Lopez (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5), etc. belong to the Open Games.

Semi-open Games

To 1 e4, if Black replies with defenses like the French (1... e6), the Pirc (1... d6), Caro-Kann (1... c6), Sicilian (1... c5), Alekhine (1... Nf6), etc., the opening is classified under Semi-open Games.

Closed Games

All the other openings where white does play e2-e4 on the first move are called Closed Games.

These, however, are only broad, general classifications. One can get a closed game from a Ruy Lopez, or an open game from the Tarasch Gambit (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 c5 4 cxd5 cxd4). A player should choose the style most suited to his temperament. Whatever style he prefers, a player must not fall into the error of adhering to that style only, when the situation calls for another type of play. He will have to get a general understanding of the other style too. Otherwise, his scope as a player will be too narrow.