Learn Chess Openings: Control the Entire Game from the Beginning

The chess ‘opening’ is when the first moves occur, when both sides aim to develop their pieces into action with the goal to overpower the other. It is that window in the game that allows you to establish control and pave your way to a checkmate. It is therefore essential to learn chess openings and the objectives of this aspect of the game if you are serious about improving your skills.

Initially, the goal is to get your pieces into the best position when you are White, and equalize when you are Black. White will play first, and while this gives it a slight advantage, Black can still gain the upper hand with the right moves.

We learn chess openings to avoid playing aimlessly and to prevent our opponents from gaining an incredible advantage. Most openings follow similar fundamental strategies, such as developing your pieces by rapidly mobilizing the ones on the useful squares and keeping them in sync throughout the game. Moving your king to safety is another priority in chess openings—and this is often done by castling. Controlling the central squares is another objective during the opening, so you can move your pieces easily to almost any part of the board while cramping your opponent.

When you learn chess openings you can also pick up strategies to prevent your pawns from being isolated or considered weak. Doing so may involve some sacrificing endgame considerations to establish a quick attack on your opponent. Seasoned chess players may find a psychological aspect to the type of chess opening being played, as methods would attempt to drag your opponent into various positions that may cause them great discomfort but will provide you with a comfortable and familiar setting.

To learn chess openings is an introduction to good chess strategies. It makes you realize that knowing how the pieces move does not determine the outcome of your game. It is often after you have made several moves when you would start questioning what to do next. Once you know the moves and the rules, a chess coach should provide you with the knowledge on specific openings and strategies, such as advancing the D or E pawn two squares to create pathways for pieces in the back and make them go to the central squares.

IchessU stands for International Chess University. We are an online entity that specializes in chess education. We teach chess openings, chess strategies and more about the chess game in detail to kids.