Best Chess Openings for Beginners

With White

Start with 1.e4 and the Italian Game if you like open, attacking positions, or with the London System if you would rather have the same setup every game.

1. 1

   Italian Game

   1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4BeginnerClassical principles in action: centre pawn, fast development, early castling and pressure on f7.
2. 2

   London System

   1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4BeginnerA system: d4, Bf4, e3, Nf3 and c3 against almost anything, so there is little theory to learn.
3. 3

   Queen's Gambit

   1.d4 d5 2.c4BeginnerThe most natural 1.d4 opening. White offers a pawn to gain the centre, and Black cannot safely keep it.
4. 4

   Vienna Game

   1.e4 e5 2.Nc3IntermediateA quieter route to attacking play with f4 later. Popular and rising fast in online chess.

With Black against 1.e4

Answer 1.e4 with 1…e5 to learn open games, or with the Caro-Kann for a solid structure that is hard to attack.

1. 1

   1…e5 (Open Games)

   1.e4 e5BeginnerMirror White in the centre. You meet the Italian, Ruy Lopez and Scotch, which teach every opening principle.
2. 2

   Caro-Kann Defense

   1.e4 c6BeginnerSupports …d5 with …c6. Very solid, few early traps, and the light-squared bishop gets out.
3. 3

   Scandinavian Defense

   1.e4 d5BeginnerChallenges e4 on move one. The lines are short and easy to remember.

With Black against 1.d4

The Queen’s Gambit Declined and the Slav keep a pawn on d5 and give White little to attack.

1. 1

   Queen's Gambit Declined

   1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6BeginnerHold d5 with …e6, develop the kingside and castle. Solid enough for world championships.
2. 2

   Slav Defense

   1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6IntermediateSupport d5 with …c6 so the light-squared bishop can still come out to f5 or g4.

Traps to know

• Scholar's Mate
  Scholar's Mate is the four-move checkmate on f7 with queen and bishop. See how it works and the two simple moves that stop it for good.
• Fool's Mate
  Fool's Mate is the fastest checkmate in chess: two moves. Learn which pawn moves allow it and why the e1–h4 diagonal matters.
• 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.
• Englund Gambit Trap
  The Englund Gambit trap (1.d4 e5) ends in a queen mate on c1 if White plays the natural 4.Bf4. See the trap and the safe 4.Qd5.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest chess opening for beginners?

The London System for White and the Caro-Kann for Black need the least memorisation. Both follow the same plan in almost every game.

Should beginners play 1.e4 or 1.d4?

Either is fine. 1.e4 leads to more open, tactical games, which help you learn quickly; 1.d4 leads to slower, more strategic play.

How many openings should a beginner learn?

One answer for each situation: one opening with White, one reply to 1.e4 and one reply to 1.d4. Learn the ideas first, not long move lists.