The King's Pawn — 1.e4
Italian Game
Quiet development, then the f7 arguments begin.
Club reply 3...Bc5 · 38% play it · scores 48% for BlackRuy Lopez
Five centuries of pressure on one knight.
Club reply 3...a6 · 30% play it · scores 47% for BlackScotch Game
Open the center on move three, on purpose.
Club reply 3...exd4 · 86% play it · scores 46% for BlackVienna Game
Looks quiet. The f4 lunge says otherwise.
Club reply 2...Nc6 · 39% play it · scores 47% for BlackKing's Gambit
Romantic-era chess: a pawn for open lines.
Club reply 2...exf4 · 45% play it · scores 46% for BlackSicilian Defense
The counterattack that never went out of style.
Club reply 2.Nf3 · 56% play it · scores 50% for WhiteSicilian: Najdorf
The theory mountain; the view is worth it.
Club reply 6.Bg5 · 23% play it · scores 50% for WhiteSicilian: Dragon
Opposite-side castling; the g7 bishop breathes fire.
Club reply 6.Be3 · 37% play it · scores 50% for WhiteFrench Defense
Concede space now, undermine everything later.
Club reply 2.d4 · 52% play it · scores 51% for WhiteCaro-Kann Defense
Solid, strategic, forever.
Club reply 2.d4 · 49% play it · scores 51% for WhiteScandinavian Defense
Ask the center question on move one.
Club reply 2.exd5 · 77% play it · scores 51% for WhitePirc Defense
Let White build the center, then bite it.
Club reply 3.Nc3 · 66% play it · scores 51% for WhiteAlekhine's Defense
Provoke the pawns forward, then pick them off.
Club reply 2.e5 · 54% play it · scores 49% for WhiteThe Queen's Pawn — 1.d4
Queen's Gambit
Not really a gambit; the pawn comes back.
Club reply 2...e6 · 30% play it · scores 46% for BlackQueen's Gambit Declined
The classical answer: decline politely, stand firm.
Club reply 3.Nc3 · 62% play it · scores 54% for WhiteQueen's Gambit Accepted
Take the pawn, hand back the center.
Club reply 3.Nc3 · 40% play it · scores 56% for WhiteSlav Defense
Sturdy, principled, and the bishop gets out.
Club reply 3.Nc3 · 56% play it · scores 53% for WhiteKing's Indian Defense
Give up the center to burn it down.
Club reply 3.Nc3 · 80% play it · scores 50% for WhiteNimzo-Indian Defense
Pin, take, and play against the doubled pawns.
Club reply 4.Qc2 · 19% play it · scores 52% for WhiteGrünfeld Defense
Hand over the center, then besiege it.
Club reply 4.cxd5 · 40% play it · scores 49% for WhiteLondon System
One setup against everything; runs on rails.
Club reply 2...Nf6 · 30% play it · scores 47% for BlackCatalan Opening
The g2 bishop runs the whole game.
Club reply 3...d5 · 50% play it · scores 45% for BlackDutch Defense
The kingside claimed before White finishes coffee.
Club reply 2.c4 · 36% play it · scores 51% for White