user-1: I have invented (to the best of my knowledge) a really decent opening. I would like to note that over the ICC I have actually beaten a few masters with this opening, with one master having an ICC rating of 2400 (45 45). I would like to popularize my opening without somebody else stealing it from me, but I really don't know how. Is there a way to do this type of thing?

user3757: I suggest you to read the story of the invention of the Kingston Defence by Gavin Wilson. Based on this story I would advise you the following actions:

Be sure to triple check your opening hasn't got a name yet. See here. You never know, it could appear in some obscure publication you don't know about...
Work on your opening until you are sure you have analysed all the main responses for white and for black. Better testing it with your computer than against real players at this stage, to diminish the probability of it being "stolen".
Find a good name for your opening.
Publish your opening, as suggested by BlindKungFuMaster. A book, an article in a chess magazine, an online video... that's up to you.
Get some publicity for your opening/publication. See if you can find someone to make a review/comment on your publication. And be sure to play it.


user4362: Openings cannot be copyrighted, but analysis and comments can be. 
The best you can do is probably to publish an extensive analysis of the variation online (or in a magazine, but you should make sure it is available online as well). In that article you should explicitly name the variation. You might also want to throw in some engine-engine games, instead of just concentrating on your own games. Real tournament games would probably be more convincing than online games as well.
If you do that you can always prove precedence by pointing out your article if somebody tries to reinvent and rename the variation. If the article is well written and contains high-level games, it is also quite likely that other people interested in the variation will quote/link you, i.e. accept and cement your precedence.

-1: <p>I have invented (to the best of my knowledge) a really decent opening. I would like to note that over the ICC I have actually beaten a few masters with this opening, with one master having an ICC rating of 2400 (45 45). I would like to popularize my opening without somebody else stealing it from me, but I really don't know how. Is there a way to do this type of thing?</p>
 3757: <p>I suggest you to read the story of the invention of the <a href="https://gavinwilson.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/the-kingston-defence-revisited/" rel="noreferrer">Kingston Defence</a> by Gavin Wilson. Based on this story I would advise you the following actions:</p>

<ol>
<li>Be sure to triple check your opening hasn't got a name yet. See <a href="http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lab/7378/eco.htm" rel="noreferrer">here</a>. You never know, it could appear in some obscure publication you don't know about...</li>
<li>Work on your opening until you are sure you have analysed all the main responses for white and for black. Better testing it with your computer than against real players at this stage, to diminish the probability of it being "stolen".</li>
<li>Find a good name for your opening.</li>
<li>Publish your opening, as suggested by BlindKungFuMaster. A book, an article in a chess magazine, an online video... that's up to you.</li>
<li>Get some publicity for your opening/publication. See if you can find someone to make a review/comment on your publication. And be sure to play it.</li>
</ol>
 4362: <p>Openings cannot be copyrighted, but analysis and comments can be. </p>

<p>The best you can do is probably to publish an extensive analysis of the variation online (or in a magazine, but you should make sure it is available online as well). In that article you should explicitly name the variation. You might also want to throw in some engine-engine games, instead of just concentrating on your own games. Real tournament games would probably be more convincing than online games as well.</p>

<p>If you do that you can always prove precedence by pointing out your article if somebody tries to reinvent and rename the variation. If the article is well written and contains high-level games, it is also quite likely that other people interested in the variation will quote/link you, i.e. accept and cement your precedence.</p>
