Learn chess openings on the board.

The Sicilian (1.e4 c5) is the most popular fighting answer to 1.e4 at every level, and the opening where memorized fragments fail fastest. Chessmate separates White and Black courses for the Closed Sicilian, Alapin, Smith-Morra, Najdorf, Dragon, Classical, Sveshnikov, Accelerated Dragon, Taimanov, Kan, and Scheveningen systems.

The French Defense (1.e4 e6) gives Black a solid structure and clear pawn-chain plans. These Black courses cover every major White try: the Exchange, the Advance, the Tarrasch, and the critical 3.Nc3 main lines.

The Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4) is the most common open game in online chess. It is easy to reach and easy to misplay. Chessmate teaches it from both colors: White's main plans, White theory for the Two Knights and Italian Four Knights, and a Black repertoire for meeting the Two Knights with confidence.

The Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4) is White's most classical bid for a lasting opening advantage: the c-pawn challenges Black's grip on the center from move two. Chessmate's courses build a White repertoire against both main replies: capturing on c4 in the Accepted, and holding the center with 2...e6 in the Declined.

The Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5) has been the main battleground of open games for over a century, and White players tend to know it well. These Black courses give you dependable theory against it: the Berlin, the Closed main lines, the Marshall Attack, and the tricky sidelines White uses to dodge all of that.

Alekhine's Defense (1.e4 Nf6) invites White's pawns forward so Black can undermine them later. This Black course teaches when the pawn chase is wrong and how to prove it.

The Benko Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5) trades a pawn for long-term queenside pressure that lasts deep into the endgame. This Black course covers the accepted main lines and White's declining tries.

The Benoni (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6) creates an unbalanced pawn structure where Black plays for active piece play against White's center. This Black course teaches the Modern Benoni plans and the move orders that make them work.

The Bishop's Opening begins with 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4. White develops the bishop toward f7 before the knight and keeps the f-pawn free for a quiet d3 setup or a kingside push with f4 and f5. The White course plays 3.d3 against every main reply, and the Black course answers with 2...Nf6 and the central break ...c6 and ...d5, including the Urusov Gambit.

The Bogo-Indian Defense begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+. When White avoids the Nimzo-Indian, Black still gets the bishop to b4, this time with check, and often trades it once it has cost White a tempo. The White course blocks with 4.Bd2 and answers every main fourth move, and the Black course plays 4...Qe7 and has a plan against 4.Nbd2, 4.Nc3, and other tries.

The Budapest Defense begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5. Black gives up the e-pawn on move two, chases it with 3...Ng4, and aims for fast development and pressure on White's dark squares. The White course defends e5 with 4.Bf4 and handles the Fajarowicz with 4.a3, and the Black course plays 3...Ng4 with answers to 4.Bf4, 4.Nf3, 4.e4, 4.Qd4, and the declined lines.

The Caro-Kann (1.e4 c6) is the solid classical answer to 1.e4: Black supports ...d5 while keeping the light-squared bishop free. The course gives you a dependable Black repertoire built on sound structure and manageable theory.

The Catalan Opening combines the Queen's Gambit pawn center with a bishop fianchettoed on g2 after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3. The bishop presses down the long diagonal toward b7 and a8. The White course trains the Closed Catalan with Qc2 and wins back the c4 pawn in the Open Catalan, and the Black course answers with 4...Bb4+, ...Be7, and ...c6.

The Dutch Defense begins with 1.d4 f5. Black controls e4 with the f-pawn and gets an unbalanced game in exchange for a slightly weaker king. The White course plays g3, Bg2, and an early e4 with the knight on d2, and the Black course plays the Leningrad with the Warsaw setup ...c6 and answers the Staunton, Krejcik, and other anti-Dutch lines.

The English Defense begins with 1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6. Black prepares ...Bb7, invites White to build a broad center with 3.e4, and later attacks it from the side with breaks like ...c5, ...f6, and ...d5. The White and Black courses share the same eight lines, covering the broad center sample line, the 3...Bb4+ check, the direct 1...b6 order with ...e5, and White's quieter setups.

The English Opening begins with 1.c4. White controls d5 from the flank and keeps the central pawns flexible until Black shows a setup. The White course builds a 1.c4 repertoire around the Reversed Dragon, the Symmetrical English, and setups against Indian and Dutch replies, and the Black course answers with 1...e5, ...d5, and ...Nb6 through the Four Knights move orders.

The Evans Gambit begins with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4. White gives up a pawn to deflect the bishop and gain time for c3 and d4. The White course covers the 5...Ba5 main line, the 6...exd4 open center, the other bishop retreats, and the 4...Bb6 decline. The Black course covers the modern 5...Be7 and ...Na5 defense with a queen trade after 9.Qxd8+.

The Four Knights (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6) looks quiet but hides real theory, from the Spanish Four Knights to the aggressive Italian setups. This Black course covers the lines that actually appear in online play.

The Grünfeld Defense begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5. Black lets White build a big pawn center and then attacks it with the g7 bishop and the ...c5 break. The Black course covers the Classical and Modern Exchange, the Russian System with 5.Qb3, 3.f3, the Fianchetto System, and early bishop sorties. The White course covers the Exchange Variation with 7.Bc4, including the 14.d5 push.

The Hungarian Opening begins with 1.g3. White fianchettoes the bishop on g2 before committing a central pawn, then builds the center step by step with d3 and e4. The White course covers Slav-style centers, the full center with ...e5, and replies like 1...g6, 1...e5, 1...Nf6, and 1...c5. The Black course answers with a ...c6 and ...d5 pawn chain and a classical center with ...e5.

The King's Gambit begins with 1.e4 e5 2.f4. White offers the f-pawn to pull Black's e-pawn away from the center, then races to play d4 and use the half-open f-file. The White course trains the Kieseritzky, Modern, and Fischer lines, and the Black course answers with the Cunningham Defense and the ...Qh4+ ideas against early sidelines.

The King's Indian Attack is a setup with Nf3, g3, Bg2, O-O, d3, Nbd2, and e4, the King's Indian Defense with colors reversed. White often pushes e5 and attacks on the kingside while Black expands on the queenside. The White course covers the Fischer attack against ...d5, ...c5, and ...e6 and many other Black setups. The Black course answers with an early ...Bg4.

The King's Indian Defense begins with a compact kingside setup against White's broad pawn center. Black usually develops with ...Nf6, ...g6, ...Bg7, ...d6, and ...O-O before challenging the center with ...e5 or ...c5. The Chessmate course covers the main structures and the plans that change when White chooses the Classical, Sämisch, Four Pawns, Averbakh, or Fianchetto setup.

The London System develops White's dark-squared bishop before closing it behind e3. The familiar Bf4, e3, Nf3, c3, Nbd2, and Bd3 setup is only the starting point. The Chessmate course teaches when to keep that structure and when Black's early ...c5, ...Qb6, ...Bf5, or ...g6 calls for a different plan.

The Mikenas Defense begins with 1.d4 Nc6. Black develops the queen's knight before committing a central pawn and keeps the choice between ...e5, ...d6, and ...e6. The White course answers with 2.d5, gaining space and chasing the knight, and covers early tactics against loose Black moves. The Black course uses the Lithuanian setup with ...e5 and ...Nce7, rerouting the knight toward g6.

The Modern Defense begins with 1.e4 g6. Black fianchettoes the bishop on g7, lets White build a broad center, and challenges it later with ...c5, ...e5, or queenside expansion. The White course is built around 3.Nf3 and 4.Bc4 and covers the Sniper, the Chameleon, and early tactics on f7. The Black course uses the Tiger setup with ...a6 and ...b5 and covers the Averbakh System and the Three Pawns Attack.

The Nimzo-Indian Defense begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4. Black pins the c3 knight to fight for e4 and is often ready to trade the bishop for it, leaving White with doubled c-pawns. The White course plays the Classical 4.Qc2 to keep the bishop pair without damage, and the Black course answers 4.Qc2, 4.e3, 4.f3, and the Sämisch with ...c5.

The Nimzo-Larsen Attack begins with 1.b3. White fianchettoes the queen's bishop on b2, lets Black take the center, and attacks it with pieces and pawn breaks like f4 and c4. The White course covers 1...e5, 1...d5, 1...Nf6, and 1...c5, with a Bb5 pin against the classical center. The Black course builds the classical center with ...e5 and ...d5 and answers 4.d4 with ...e4 to block the b2 bishop.

The Old Indian Defense begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6. Black prepares ...e5, develops the dark-squared bishop to e7 instead of fianchettoing it, and builds a compact pawn chain on d6 and e5. The White course covers the classical ...c6 setup, the early exchange on d4, and Black's sidelines. The Black course is built around ...Nbd7, ...e5, and ...Be7 and covers the Qe8 and Bd8 regroup, the closed 5.d5 lines, and the Sämisch setup.

Owen's Defense begins with 1.e4 b6. Black lets White build a broad pawn center, fianchettoes the queen's bishop on b7 to press e4, and strikes back with pawn breaks like ...d5, ...c5, or ...e5. Both courses cover the same five lines from opposite sides: the ...d5 break against 3.Bd3, the early ...c5, the ...e5 center, the 3.Nc3 setup, and the flexible 2.Nf3 move order.

The Petroff (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6) neutralizes White's initiative by counterattacking the e-pawn immediately. The course teaches the key equalizing lines and the traps White hopes you don't know.

The Pirc Defense begins with 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6. Black lets White build a big center, fianchettoes the bishop on g7, and waits to strike back with ...c5 or ...e5. The White course builds the Be3 and Qd2 system with long castling and the e5 break, and the Black course answers the Austrian Attack with 5...c5 and covers the Classical and other systems.

The Queen's Indian (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6) is Black's flexible answer when White avoids the Nimzo-Indian: pieces control e4 while the pawn structure stays fluid. This Black course covers the main fianchetto and 4.a3 battlegrounds.

The Chigorin Variation of the Queen's Pawn Game begins with 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nc6. Black blocks the c-pawn on purpose, develops quickly, and often pins the f3 knight with ...Bg4 to pressure d4. The White course covers the Bf4 and c4 setup, the quieter 3.e3, 3.g3, and 3.c3 systems, and the Irish Gambit with 2.Nc3 c5, while the Black course builds around ...Nc6, ...Bg4, and ...Bb4+.

The Rapport-Jobava System begins with 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4. White develops the queen's knight before the c-pawn and brings the bishop to f4 as in the London System, then aims for Nb5, the e4 break, or long castling with a kingside pawn advance. The White course covers 3...e6 with Nb5, the immediate 3...c5, the Slav-style 3...c6, and 3...a6, 3...Bf5, and 3...g6, while the Black course builds around ...a6 and ...c5.

The Réti Opening begins with 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4. White develops a knight and attacks d5 from the side before committing the d-pawn, usually fianchettoes a bishop, and fights for the center with pieces and flank pawns. The White course covers 2...d4, 2...dxc4, 2...c6, 2...e6, and 1...Nf6, while the Black course builds around the space-gaining 2...d4.

The Scandinavian Defense answers 1.e4 with 1...d5 and challenges White's center immediately. This Chessmate course follows the 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 repertoire for Black, then shows how the same ...c6, ...Bf5, and ...e6 setup changes against early Bc4, d4, c4, and gambit tries.

The Scotch (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4) opens the center early and forces Black to know concrete theory from move three. This Black course gives you a reliable path through the main lines and the gambit tries.

The Semi-Slav Defense begins with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6. Black supports d5 with a solid pawn triangle and later frees the c8 bishop with ...dxc4, ...b5, and ...c5 or with the ...e5 break. The White course builds around the Catalan-style 5.g3, while the Black course covers the Meran, the Anti-Meran, the Moscow and Anti-Moscow, and White's other fifth moves.

The Slav Defense begins with 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6. Black supports d5 without blocking the c8-bishop, then decides whether to capture on c4 or keep the center intact. The Chessmate course is a White repertoire for recovering the c4-pawn, challenging the active bishop, and meeting the Exchange, Quiet, and Chebanenko structures.

The Torre Attack begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5. White develops the kingside knight, pins the f6 knight, and builds a solid pawn triangle with e3 and c3 before choosing between the Ne5 outpost and the e4 break. The White course covers 3...d5, 3...h6, 3...c5, 3...b6, 2...g6, and 1...d5, while the Black course builds around the immediate counterstrike 3...c5.

Opening traps are short tactical branches that work only after a specific mistake. Chessmate separates them by side: the White course trains punishments against loose kings and greedy captures, while the Black course covers mating patterns, deflections, and piece-winning traps. Each line teaches the trigger as well as the finish.

The Trompowsky Attack begins with 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5. White develops the bishop before any knight and threatens to take on f6 and double Black's pawns, so Black must react at once with ...Ne4, ...c5, ...e6, or ...d5. The White course covers 2...Ne4, 2...c5, 2...e6, 2...g6, 2...d5, and 2...h6, while the Black course builds around 2...Ne4 and quick counterplay with ...c5.

The Vienna (1.e4 e5 2.Nc3) delays Nf3 to keep f2-f4 ideas on the board, and unprepared Black players walk into its gambits constantly. This Black course teaches the antidotes, including against the related Bishop's Opening move orders.

The Colle-Zukertort System is a setup more than a fixed move order: White plays d4, Nf3, e3, Bd3, and b3, adds Bb2, castling, and Nbd2, and usually puts a knight on e5 with f4 behind it. The White course covers setups with ...c5, ...b6, ...Bd6, and ...Bg4, including the Qh3 battery, while the Black course meets the same setup with central counterplay and the ...g6 answer to Ne5.

The Center Game begins with 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.Qxd4. White opens the center on move two, recaptures with the queen, and after 3...Nc6 4.Qe3 heads for queenside castling and a kingside attack. The White course covers the Paulsen-Winawer main line, quiet setups with 5...Be7 and 4...g6, and the Charousek check with a mating attack on the h-file.

The Danish Gambit begins with 1.e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3. White offers two pawns for fast development, and after 3...dxc3 4.Bc4 cxb2 5.Bxb2 both bishops aim at Black's king. The White course covers the Schlechter Defense with 5...d5, the 5...Nf6 6.e5 tricks, the Copenhagen Defense with 5...Bb4+, the one-pawn 4.Nxc3 option, and the declined lines starting with 3...d5.

The Philidor Defense begins with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6. Black supports e5 with a pawn and builds a compact, solid structure, while White usually takes more central space with 3.d4. The White course covers the Exchange Variation with long castling, the Lion setups with ...Nbd7, the quiet Steinitz center, the Philidor Countergambit with 3...f5, and the Opera Game combination.