Chess Openings

By
Armand Rousso

2017
Chess Openings
What Are Chess Openings?
Opening Principles
Some Chess Openings

Page 2 Armand Rousso 2017

Chess Openings
The opening refers to the first
several moves by both players.
In most games the opening is the
first four to ten moves.
Openings are often named after
the first famous player who used
them

Page 3 Armand Rousso 2017

What Opening to Use?
It Depends:
Try lots of them as a beginner
Read about openings you are
comfortable with
Consider your playing style and
preferences (closed/open, wild/cautious)
How much theory do you have to
memorize to be effective is different for
various openings
Page 4 Armand Rousso 2017
Opening Principles
Development
Control the Center
Castling
Pawn Structure

Page 5 Armand Rousso 2017

Development
Do develop minor pieces before
major pieces (B & N, before Q & R)
Make the first Knight move toward
the center (c3, f3, c6, f6)
The first Bishop move should attack
something or defend important
square
Learn from your mistakes

Page 6 Armand Rousso 2017

Development
Do NOT develop your Queen early
Do NOT open with Rook pawns (a, h)
Do NOT move the same piece many
times
Do NOT put Knights on the edge,
unless required for defense
Avoid blocking Pawns with Bishops

Page 7 Armand Rousso 2017

Control the Center
If you control more of the center
squares, it is easier to defend and
harder for your opponent to attack
The Sweet Center (d4, d5, e4,
e5) squares are the most
important
Once we have chosen the right formation in the
centre we have created opportunities for our pieces
and laid the foundation of subsequent victory.

- Alexander Kotov, Grandmaster

Page 8 Armand Rousso 2017

Castling
Castling makes the King safer by
moving him away from the center.
Castling is efficient: 2 King moves in
1, and it develops a Rook
The option to castle to BOTH sides
can make your opponent commit to
an attack before you change the
subject
Page 9 Armand Rousso 2017
Pawn Structure
Pawns do not move backward, so
carefully choose pawn moves
Avoid moving pawns in front of a
castled King without a reason
Pawn chains are stronger than
isolated pawns
Attack the base of a pawn chain,
where it is weakest
Page 10 Armand Rousso 2017
Pawn Structure (contd)
Capablancas Rule: To create a pawn
majority, advance the unopposed pawn
(before the rest of the pawn majority)
Recognize types of Pawn Centers:
Open, Closed, Blocked, Fixed, Mobile,
Dynamic
Accumulate small advantages in pawn
control

Page 11 Armand Rousso 2017

Some Chess Openings
Ruy Lopez 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4
Caro-Kann 1. e4 c6
Scandinavian Defense (center-counter) 1.
e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6
Kings Indian 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3
Queens Gambit 1. d4 d5 2. c4
Colle System 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6
4. Bd3 c5 5. c3

Page 12 Armand Rousso 2017

Books on Chess Openings
Chess Openings: Traps and Zaps
(Pandolfini)
Batsford Chess Openings
(Kasparov & Keene)
In the opening a master should play like a
book, in the mid-game he should play like a
magician, in the ending he should play like
a machine.
Rudolph Spielmann, Grandmaster
Page 13 Armand Rousso 2017
Opening Principles
Development
Control the Center
Castling
Pawn Structure

Page 14 Armand Rousso 2017

Requirements
4. Do the following:
b. Discuss the differences between the
opening, the middle game, and the
endgame.
c. Explain four opening principles.

Page 15 Armand Rousso 2017

Questions ?

Page 16 Armand Rousso 2017

For Latest Updates Follow
Armand Rousso At Social
Sites:
Chessbase
http://en.chessbase.com/post/entreprene
ur-philanthropist-che-aficionado
behance.net
https://www.behance.net/armandrousso
linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/armand-ro
usso-1b54624

Page 17 Armand Rousso 2017