Chess Opening Theory

The English opening is a flexible choice for white. The English often transposes into openings normally seen after 1. D4, either exactly or with slight variations due to move order. You can also enter a 'reversed' Sicilian defense if black responds with e5, where white is playing the Sicilian defense with an extra tempo.

Chess Opening Theory Wikibooks
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Chess Opening Theory Pdf
Chess Opening Theory Queen's Gambit

This simple scheme of development leads to a complex of systems that form one of the oldest chess openings, the Italian Game. Perhaps because it is straightforward and logical - both sides quickly develop their pieces to good squares - it has always been popular with beginners and novices. Although traditionally considered inferior to the Ruy Lopez as a way for White to press for an advantage after 1.e4 e5, it still contains the potential for rich middlegames full of strategic and tactical subtleties, and has still had its grandmaster adherents. It may be due for a revival at the highest level, as top grandmasters looking to avoid the Berlin defence in the Ruy Lopez may turn to the Giuoco Pianissimo to outplay their opponents in the slow manoeuvring games that can develop, and the opening has recently featured in the 2016 World Championship match between Magnus Carlsen and Sergei Karjakin.

After the initial moves, the Italian game can develop into three main branches:

Bc4 This simple scheme of development leads to a complex of systems that form one of the oldest chess openings, the Italian Game. Perhaps because it is straightforward and logical - both sides quickly develop their pieces to good squares - it. The London System is an opening where White aims to achieve a solid set up by placing his pieces in the same squares, regardless of what moves black plays. It is called a “System” for this reason - opening theory is not very important, and neither are move orders, and that is why it is the preferred weapon of many chess players.

The Giuoco Piano

Here are some example games played by grandmasters, which illustrate how the game can proceed.

Socko vs Brunello, Italian Championship, Civitanova Marche 2015

Warakomski vs Bartel, Polish Championship, Karpacz 2008

The Evans Gambit

Here are some example games that show how sharp and tactical games in the Evans Gambit can be

Morozevich vs Adams, Wijk aan Zee 2001

Anderssen vs Dufresne, 'The Evergreen Game', Berlin 1852