Opening

Start the game well, without indigestible theory.

6 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 review breaks that cycle: revisiting the right moves at the right time, just before you’d forget them — all tuned to your own games.
Move Order: the Opening Nuance That Changes the GameAt a high level, the opening is not a list of moves to recite: the order matters as much as the moves. The same position reached by two paths is not worth the same — half a move’s difference can grant or deny a whole option.

The opening repertoire

Study any opening move by move — main line, plans and pawn structures, all tied back to your own games.

With White (18)

Other themes

Strategy Defensive vigilance Missed chances Endgames Thinking process