The Best Chess Openings

Best openings for White

The main first moves are 1.e4, 1.d4 and 1.c4. All three are fully sound; choose by the kind of game you enjoy.

1. 1

   Ruy Lopez

   1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5AdvancedThe most respected 1.e4 e5 opening. Long-term pressure on Black’s centre with deep plans for both sides.
2. 2

   Italian Game

   1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4BeginnerSimple development and a direct target on f7. Played from club level to the world championship.
3. 3

   Queen's Gambit

   1.d4 d5 2.c4IntermediateThe main road for 1.d4: White trades a wing pawn for central control.
4. 4

   Catalan Opening

   1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3AdvancedCombines the Queen’s Gambit with a fianchettoed bishop that presses on the long diagonal.
5. 5

   English Opening

   1.c4IntermediateA flexible flank opening that often transposes into 1.d4 structures.

Best openings for Black

Black’s choice depends on White’s first move. The most reliable answers are below.

1. 1

   Sicilian Defense

   1.e4 c5AdvancedThe most popular reply to 1.e4. Unbalanced positions where Black plays for a win.
2. 2

   Caro-Kann Defense

   1.e4 c6BeginnerA solid reply to 1.e4 with a sound pawn structure and few weaknesses.
3. 3

   French Defense

   1.e4 e6IntermediateFights for the centre with …e6 and …d5 and leads to rich strategic play.
4. 4

   Nimzo-Indian Defense

   1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4AdvancedOne of the most respected answers to 1.d4: piece pressure on the centre instead of pawns.
5. 5

   King's Indian Defense

   1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6AdvancedLet White build a centre, then attack it and the king. Sharp and ambitious.

Traps to know

• Fried Liver Attack
  The Fried Liver Attack is a knight sacrifice on f7 in the Two Knights Defense. See the attack and how to counter it with 5…Na5.
• Elephant Trap
  The Elephant Trap in the Queen's Gambit Declined punishes 6.Nxd5 with …Nxd5! and …Bb4+, winning a piece. See the trap and how White avoids it.
• Stafford Gambit
  The Stafford Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6) is full of traps, including a queen sacrifice and mate. See the main trap and the safe 6.Be2.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best chess opening?

For White, 1.e4 and 1.d4 are equally strong; the Ruy Lopez, Italian Game and Queen’s Gambit are the classic choices. For Black, the Sicilian and Caro-Kann against 1.e4 and the Queen’s Gambit Declined or Nimzo-Indian against 1.d4.

What opening do grandmasters play most?

At the top level 1.e4 and 1.d4 dominate. The Ruy Lopez, Sicilian, Queen’s Gambit Declined, Nimzo-Indian and Catalan appear in almost every elite event.