Opening
Start the game well, without indigestible theory.
5 articles
Articles & principles
- The 6 Opening FundamentalsControl the centre, develop quickly, castle early, keep the queen in reserve, move each piece only once, finish development before attacking: the 6 fundamentals that carry every opening you play.
- When and Why to CastleCastling is arguably the most profitable move of the entire opening: it tucks your king into safety while waking up a sleeping rook. The art lies in choosing between kingside and queenside, timing the move correctly, and recognising the rare positions where castling means walking straight into danger.
- The Universal Principles of the First Five MovesControl the center, develop your pieces, get your king to safety: discover the four principles that guide your first five moves, and how White’s first-move advantage changes everything.
- Leaving Opening Theory Without PanickingYour opponent just played a move you have never seen. Don’t panic: here is how to return to fundamentals, evaluate calmly and stay in control once theory runs out.
- Remember your openings for goodYou learn an opening, play it once, forget it. Spaced repetition breaks that cycle: revisiting the right moves at the right time, just before you’d forget them — all tuned to your own games.
The opening repertoire
Study any opening move by move — main line, plans and traps, all tied back to your own games.