The Mega Chess Openings Glossary: A-Z of Variations and Moves

The ultimate reference guide to chess openings. This glossary includes main systems, named sub-variations, and aggressive gambits. Click a letter to jump to the section.

A

Accelerated Dragon (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6): A variation of the Sicilian where Black fianchettos quickly, avoiding the Yugoslav Attack.
Alapin Variation (Sicilian) (1. e4 c5 2. c3): A solid anti-Sicilian weapon where White prepares to build a full pawn center with d4.
Albin Counter-Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. c4 e5): An aggressive response to the Queen's Gambit. Black sacrifices a pawn to disrupt White's development.
Alekhine's Defense (1. e4 Nf6): Black tempts White's pawns forward (e5, c4, d4) to create targets that can be attacked later.
Amar Opening (1. Nh3): Also known as the Paris Opening. A rare flank opening developing the knight to the edge.
Anderssen's Opening (1. a3): A rarely played waiting move, often transposing into other openings with colors reversed.
Anti-Meran Gambit (Semi-Slav: 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5 7. e5): A razor-sharp line in the Semi-Slav involving complex tactical complications.
Archangel Variation (Ruy Lopez: ...Bc5 and ...b5): An aggressive Ruy Lopez defense where Black fianchettos the light-squared bishop.
Austrian Attack (Pirc: 4. f4): The most aggressive line against the Pirc Defense, creating a massive pawn center.

B

Barnes Opening (1. f3): Often considered the worst opening move in chess, weakening the King's position immediately.
Basman Defense (1. e4 g5): Also known as the Borg Defense ("Grob" backwards). Highly risky.
Benko Gambit (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 b5): Black sacrifices a pawn for long-term pressure on the queenside files.
Benoni Defense (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5): A dynamic opening creating an imbalance in pawn structure. See also Modern Benoni.
Berlin Defense (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6): Known as the "Berlin Wall." A super-solid defense to the Ruy Lopez, famous for its drawish endgame tendencies.
Bird's Opening (1. f4): White aims to control e5 immediately. Can lead to Dutch-like positions.
Bishop's Opening (1. e4 e5 2. Bc4): White targets f7 immediately, delaying the knight development.
Black Knights Tango (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 Nc6): Also known as the Mexican Defense. Black develops knights before pawns, provoking d5.
Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. f3): White sacrifices a pawn to open the f-file and gain rapid development.
Blumenfeld Gambit (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nf3 b5): Related to the Benko Gambit, focusing on center control.
Bogo-Indian Defense (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Bb4+): A solid alternative to the Queen's Indian, trading pieces to relieve space pressure.
Bongcloud Attack (1. e4 e5 2. Ke2): A "joke" opening that deliberately puts the King in a bad position. Not played in serious games.
Botvinnik System (Semi-Slav: 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 b5): One of the most complex and chaotic lines in all of chess theory.
Budapest Gambit (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e5): Black sacrifices the e-pawn to open lines and attack White's center instantly.

C

Cambridge Springs Defense (QGD: ...Qa5): A solid variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined where Black pins the knight on c3.
Caro-Kann Defense (1. e4 c6): A solid defense supporting d5. Variations include the Advance, Classical, and Panov-Botvinnik.
Caro-Kann: Advance Variation (1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5): White closes the center to gain space.
Catalan Opening (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3): Combines the Queen's Gambit with a kingside fianchetto.
Center Game (1. e4 e5 2. d4): White opens the center immediately but often loses time with the Queen.
Chigorin Defense (1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6): Black develops knights quickly, putting pressure on White's center pieces rather than pawns.
Closed Ruy Lopez (Main line with ...Be7 and ...Nf6): The strategic main line of the Spanish Game.
Closed Sicilian (1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 followed by g3): A slower, positional approach to the Sicilian favored by Spassky and Karpov.
Cochrane Gambit (Petroff: 4. Nxf7): A speculative piece sacrifice in the Petroff Defense to expose the Black King.
Colle System (1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3): A solid, schematic setup for White often used by club players.
Czech Benoni (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e5): A locked, maneuvering version of the Benoni, characterized by a closed center.

D

Damiano Defense (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f6?): A weak opening for Black that exposes the King to a deadly attack.
Danish Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3): White sacrifices two pawns for slashing bishop diagonals.
Dragon Variation (Sicilian: ...d6 and ...g6): One of the sharpest lines in chess. Black fianchettos the bishop to breathe fire down the long diagonal.
Dunst Opening (1. Nc3): Also known as the Sleipnir Opening. White develops a piece but blocks the c-pawn.
Duras Gambit (1. e4 f5): Also known as the Fred Defense. Considered unsound.
Dutch Defense (1. d4 f5): An aggressive counter to 1. d4. Variations include the Stonewall and Leningrad.

E

Elephant Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5): A risky counter-gambit where Black attacks the center immediately.
English Opening (1. c4): A flank opening controlling d5. Transposes often to 1. d4 lines.
English Defense (1. d4 e6 2. c4 b6): Black fianchettos the queenside bishop to attack White's center from the flank.
Englund Gambit (1. d4 e5): A dubious gambit where Black sacrifices a pawn immediately to trick White.
Evans Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4): A classic gambit in the Italian Game.
Exchange French (1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. exd5): A very drawish line where White releases the central tension immediately.
Exchange Ruy Lopez (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Bxc6): White trades the bishop for the knight to double Black's pawns and play for an endgame advantage.
Exchange Slav (1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. cxd5): Known for being symmetrical and dry, often used by White to play for a safe result.

F

Falkbeer Counter-Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5): Black declines the King's Gambit and strikes back in the center.
Four Knights Game (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6): Symmetrical and solid development.
French Defense (1. e4 e6): Black fights for the center after 2. d4 d5. Sub-variations include the Winawer, Tarrasch, and Advance.
Fried Liver Attack (Two Knights: 4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Nxf7): A wild sacrifice of a knight for a massive attack on the Black King.
From's Gambit (1. f4 e5): A dangerous counter to Bird's Opening, similar to the King's Gambit but reversed.

G

Giuoco Piano (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5): The "Quiet Game," focusing on rapid development.
Giuoco Pianissimo (...d3): The "Very Quiet Game," a slower, maneuvering version of the Italian.
Goering Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. c3): Related to the Scotch Game, offering pawns for activity.
Grand Prix Attack (1. e4 c5 2. Nc3 ... 3. f4): An aggressive anti-Sicilian system attacking the kingside.
Greco Gambit (Italian Game: c3 and d4): An old line where White sacrifices pawns for a center attack.
Grob's Attack (1. g4): The "Spike." A highly unconventional and risky opening.
Grünfeld Defense (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5): Black allows a white pawn center to target it later.
Gurgenidze System (Caro-Kann/Modern hybrid): Black plays ...g6, ...c6 and ...d5, creating a very solid structure.

H

Halloween Gambit (Four Knights: 4. Nxe5): A speculative sacrifice of a piece for a strong pawn center and attack.
Hedgehog System: A setup for Black (pawns on a6, b6, d6, e6) characterized by flexibility and "spines" waiting to counter-attack.
Hippopotamus Defense: A non-theoretical system where pieces stay behind the 3rd rank.
Hungarian Opening (1. g3): Prepares to fianchetto the King's bishop quietly.

I

Italian Game (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4): One of the oldest and most popular opening families.
Irish Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nxe5?): An unsound sacrifice of a knight. Not to be confused with the Halloween Gambit.

J

Jerome Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. Bxf7+?): An unsound 19th-century gambit sacrificing two minor pieces for an attack.
Jobava London System (1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4): A modern, aggressive twist on the London System involving rapid knight development.

K

Kalashnikov Variation (Sicilian: ...e5 and ...d6 is delayed): Similar to the Sveshnikov but without an early ...Nf6.
Kan Variation (Sicilian: ...e6 and ...a6): A flexible Sicilian line where Black delays knight development.
King's Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. f4): The Romantic era's favorite, sacrificing a pawn for an f-file attack.
King's Gambit Accepted (2...exf4): Black accepts the pawn and tries to hold it or return it for equality.
King's Gambit Declined (2...Bc5): Black declines the pawn, controlling the center with the bishop.
King's Indian Attack (KIA): White plays a reversed King's Indian setup (Nf3, g3, Bg2, d3).
King's Indian Defense (KID) (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7): A complex, counter-attacking system against 1. d4.
KID: Bayonet Attack (9. b4): A sharp main line where White storms the queenside.
KID: Four Pawns Attack (White plays c4, d4, e4, f4): White builds a massive center, hoping to crush Black; risky if Black counters correctly.
KID: Saemisch Variation (5. f3): White solidifies the center and prepares a kingside pawn storm.

L

Larsen's Opening (1. b3): The Nimzo-Larsen Attack. Controls the center from the flank.
Lasker Defense (QGD: ...Ne4): A freeing maneuver for Black in the Queen's Gambit Declined.
Latvian Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 f5): An aggressive but questionable counter-gambit (Greco Counter-Gambit).
Leningrad Dutch (1. d4 f5 2. g3): A hybrid of the Dutch and King's Indian, very sharp.
London System (1. d4 d5 2. Bf4): A universal, solid system for White.
Lucena Defense (Ruy Lopez: ...Be7): An old name for the Closed Ruy Lopez.

M

MacCutcheon Variation (French: ...Bb4): A sharp counter-attacking line in the Classical French.
Mar del Plata Variation (KID Main Line): The classic race: White attacks the queenside, Black attacks the kingside.
Marshall Attack (Ruy Lopez: ...d5 sacrifice): A famous pawn sacrifice by Black to generate a massive kingside attack.
Max Lange Attack (Two Knights Defense): A tactical line in the Two Knights Defense.
Meran Variation (Semi-Slav): A key battleground in the Semi-Slav defense.
Mieses Opening (1. d3): A passive opening often leading to reversed Pirc setups.
Modern Defense (1. e4 g6): Flexible defense similar to the Pirc.
Modern Benoni (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6): The sharpest version of the Benoni.
Morra Gambit: See Smith-Morra Gambit.
Muzio Gambit (King's Gambit: Knight sac): White sacrifices a knight on f3 for a ferocious attack.

N

Najdorf Variation (Sicilian: 5...a6): The "Cadillac" of chess openings. Highly theoretical and aggressive.
Neo-Grünfeld Defense (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3): White delays Nc3 to avoid the main Grünfeld exchanges.
Nimzo-Indian Defense (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4): Pins the knight to control e4. Highly respected.
Nimzowitsch Defense (1. e4 Nc6): An offbeat defense challenging White's center instantly.
Noteboom Variation (Semi-Slav): Black captures on c4 and tries to hold the pawn with ...b5.

O

O'Kelly Variation (Sicilian: 2...a6): Black prepares ...e5 or ...b5 before developing.
Old Benoni (1. d4 c5): The original Benoni, immediately challenging d4.
Old Indian Defense (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6): Solid but passive compared to the King's Indian.
Orangutan Opening (1. b4): Also called the Polish or Sokolsky opening.
Orthodox Defense (QGD): The classic line of the Queen's Gambit Declined.
Owen's Defense (1. e4 b6): Black fianchettos the queen's bishop to control the center.

P

Panov-Botvinnik Attack (Caro-Kann: c4): White creates an Isolated Queen's Pawn to attack.
Parham Attack (1. e4 e5 2. Qh5): Trying for Scholar's Mate. A beginner opening.
Petroff Defense (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6): The Russian Game. Very drawish and solid.
Philidor Defense (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6): Solid, protecting the center with pawns.
Pirc Defense (1. e4 d6): Hypermodern defense allowing White a center to attack later.
Polish Opening: See Orangutan Opening.
Ponziani Opening (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. c3): White prepares an immediate d4 push supported by a pawn.

Q

Queen's Gambit (1. d4 d5 2. c4): White attacks d5 from the wing.
Queen's Gambit Accepted (QGA): Black captures the pawn on c4.
Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD): Black defends d5 with e6.
QGD: Exchange Variation (cxd5): White fixes the pawn structure, often playing for a Minority Attack.
QGD: Lasker Defense: See Lasker Defense.
QGD: Tartakower Defense (...h6 and ...b6): A solid system for Black to solve the problem of the light-squared bishop.
Queen's Indian Defense (QID) (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6): Fianchettoing the queen's bishop to control the center.

R

Ragozin Defense (QGD: ...Bb4): An active defense in the QGD where Black pins the knight.
Réti Opening (1. Nf3 d5 2. c4): A flank opening aiming to undermine Black's center.
Rice Gambit (King's Gambit): An obscure and analyzed-to-death gambit in the King's Gambit.
Richter-Veresov Attack (1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5): White aims for rapid piece activity and kingside attacks.
Rossolimo Variation (Sicilian: 3. Bb5): White avoids open Sicilian theory by developing the bishop.
Ruy Lopez (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5): The "Spanish Game." Positional pressure on the e5 pawn.
Ruy Lopez: Breyer Variation (...Nb8): A paradoxical knight retreat to reroute to d7.
Ruy Lopez: Chigorin Variation (...Na5): Black chases the bishop to expand on the queenside.
Ruy Lopez: Exchange Variation: See Exchange Ruy Lopez.
Ruy Lopez: Schliemann Defense (...f5): A sharp, gambit-like defense for Black.

S

Saemisch Variation (KID: f3): White builds a massive center protected by f3.
Saragossa Opening (1. c3): A passive opening usually transposing to the Caro-Kann or Slav.
Scandinavian Defense (1. e4 d5): Immediate challenge to the center.
Scheveningen Variation (Sicilian: ...e6 and ...d6): Black sets up a "small center" to control critical squares.
Scotch Game (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4): Opens lines immediately.
Scotch Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4): White delays recapturing on d4 to develop rapidly.
Semi-Slav Defense (1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6): A complex mix of the QGD and Slav.
Sicilian Defense (1. e4 c5): The most popular response to 1. e4.
Sicilian: Closed Variation (2. Nc3): A slower, strategic game.
Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack: See Grand Prix Attack.
Slav Defense (1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6): Solid defense keeping the bishop diagonal open.
Smith-Morra Gambit (1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3): Anti-Sicilian gambit for rapid development.
Sodium Attack (1. Na3): A rare opening named after the element Sodium (Na).
Sokolsky Opening: See Orangutan Opening.
Sozin Attack (Sicilian: Bc4): White develops the bishop to c4, famously played by Fischer.
Stonewall Attack (1. d4 ... e3 ... Bd3 ... f4): A rigid pawn structure for White aiming at the kingside.
Sveshnikov Variation (Sicilian: ...e5): Aggressive line where Black accepts a backward d-pawn for activity.

T

Taimanov Variation (Sicilian: ...e6 and ...Nc6): Flexible Sicilian setup.
Tarrasch Defense (QGD: ...c5): Black accepts an isolated pawn for piece activity.
Tartakower Defense (QGD): See QGD: Tartakower Defense.
Tennison Gambit (1. Nf3 d5 2. e4): Dubious but tricky gambit (Zukertort Gambit).
Three Knights Game (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3): Black avoids ...Nf6, perhaps to play ...g6 or ...Bc5.
Torre Attack (1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5): Solid system involving an early bishop sortie.
Traxler Counter-Attack (Two Knights: ...Bc5 and ...Bxf2+): A wild, computer-like counter to the Fried Liver Attack.
Trompowsky Attack (1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5): Avoids standard Indian defenses.
Two Knights Defense (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6): Counter-attacking the Italian Game.

U

Urusov Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3): A dangerous gambit in the Bishop's Opening.

V

Van't Kruijs Opening (1. e3): Passive, but playable. Often transposes to French/English lines.
Velimirovic Attack (Sicilian): A sharp attacking plan involving castling queenside.
Veresov Attack: See Richter-Veresov Attack.
Vienna Game (1. e4 e5 2. Nc3): Prepares for a delayed King's Gambit or positional play.
Volga Gambit: Another name for the Benko Gambit.

W

Wade Defense (1. d4 d6 2. Nf3 Bg4): A solid, underrated defense.
Ware Opening (1. a4): An irregular opening that does little for the center.
Winawer Variation (French: 3. Nc3 Bb4): Sharp, strategic battle in the French Defense.
Wing Gambit (1. e4 c5 2. b4): White sacrifices a flank pawn to deflect the c-pawn from the center.

Y

Yugoslav Attack (Sicilian Dragon): White castles queenside and launches a pawn storm against Black's king.

Z

Zaitsev Variation (Ruy Lopez): A complex line where Black fianchettos the queenside bishop.
Zukertort Opening (1. Nf3): Quiet flank opening, often transposing to the Réti or Queen's Gambit.

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