A beginner in chess will with no doubt agree that there is a lot of information on chess openings. The amount of information is enough to be considered a study on its own. For you to easily understand some Encyclopedia chess openings I will break it down for you. The best way to approach chess is as an art. It is easy to get preoccupied with so many moves that you get lost early in the game. Encyclopedia chess openings are classified according to which pawn the white side decides to move first, how the defense is worked out and either semi or closed. Let’s explore them widely.
If a player decides to play the Kings Pawn first which is usually on e2, according to Encyclopedia chess openings it is called the Ruy Lopez, Spanish opening, Giuco Piano and Kings Gambit. If the first move is the Queens pawn placed on d2, then we have the Slav defense and Queens Gambit. Flank openings, Birds openings and English openings involve first moving other pieces like pawns, Knights and so on.
In chess file a-d forms the Queens side while e-h forms the Kings side. When you decide to open with the Queens side and quickly develop the black Knight this opening is considered Queens Side defense or Grunfeld defense. The same principle is applied if you start with the Kings side. As you can see, chess openings in various Encyclopedias can be classified depending on the defense played. A regular defense happens when the black piece responds to the white in a traditional way. The irregular/ Nimzowitsch defense happens when your opponent responds to the attack using an out of book strategy, meaning a traditional approach is not taken.
When a chess opening is considered open or closed, it simply means your pieces are played before your pawns. When you play the Knight first or Bishop first, this places you at a risk of getting attacked. To avoid losing your pieces you will need to develop your pieces early in the game. This open game allows you to exercise short term tactics therefore is not ideal for beginners. This kind of opening is the Ruy Lopez or Kings’ Gambit.
In a closed game, pieces will dominate the chess board giving you a hard time to attack. This kind of game blocks the way for pieces to move and as a result the game slows done. For you to reach your goal, a long term plan should be in place. Unlike the open game, this opening can be used by beginners. The Queens Gambit is a perfect example of this opening.
Encyclopedia chess openings are also named based on the person who came up with the idea. Let’s take for example the Spanish or Ruy Lopez opening which was developed by a Spaniard. Encyclopedia chess openings are easier to understand but do not expect to learn the game just by reading. The best way to sharpen you chess openings is to practice.
