Opening Explorer
Browse 520 openings by style, theory depth, and win rate.
This week on ChessRef
Openings we're reading
Easy to learn, hard to break
London System
One setup for almost any Black response. Low theory, deep middlegame plans, and the system you'll see across every rating range.
Counterpunch classic
King's Indian Defense
Let White grab the center, then strike with f5, g5, and a kingside avalanche. Pure attacking energy from move one.
Side
First move
Theory
Sharpness

Sicilian Defense1. e4 c5 2. Nf3

Sicilian Defense1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4

French Defense1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5

Caro-Kann Defense1. e4 c6 2. Nc3

Caro-Kann Defense1. e4 c6 2. Nc3 d5

Caro-Kann Defense1. e4 c6 2. d4

Caro-Kann Defense1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5

Caro-Kann Defense1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3

Slav Defense1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3