Effective Chess Opening Moves

Kanika Khara Oct 21, 2018
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The initial moves of a chess game, which can eventually determine the course of the game, is generally known as a chess opening. Since the number of chess opening moves are countless, the following are some of the best that can help you win the game with relative ease.
Chess is a brain bracing board game, played with 2 players on opposite sides, having 64 squares of alternate black and white colors. Each player commands an army of 16 pieces, includes 1 king, 1 queen, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights, and 8 pawns. The sides where the armies are placed is marked by letters (a-h), and the other sides are marked by numbers (1-8).
The ultimate aim of the game is to checkmate the opponent's king. Setting up the chess board, evaluating the positions, and fixing goals are some strategies that need to be studied before playing the game. But, starting with the best opening move helps mobilize the pieces to the most useful squares, where they will have maximum impact on the game.
Since the first moves of a chess game are extremely important and should be taken carefully, here are some common chess strategies that are highly effective, and will make winning the game much easier.

Ruy Lopez Opening

The Ruy Lopez move is named after a Spanish priest who introduced this move in 1561. It is considered to be one of the most popular chess moves, which can be used at all levels of the game.
Its starting position is 1. e4, e5, 2. Nf3, Nc6 and 3. Bb5, in which white creates a pin of d-pawn or the Knight and attacks while trying to castle. Then it focuses pressure on the black e-pawn, and prepares for a pawn on d4. In response, black will reply with a6, and attack the white bishop, and as a result, white will have to back up or exchange pieces.

Giuoco Piano Opening

The move starts as 1. e4 e5, 2. Nf3 Nc6, 3. Bc4 Bc5, in which the white plans a silent and sudden attack on the black bishop. Known as a quiet game, in this, the opponent plays d3 after you start, or will play b4 by offering a pawn in exchange for the powerful center.

Sicilian Defense

The most powerful black defense move, in which e4 is played. When the white plays c5, black will defend for the center and attack d4.
As a result, an asymmetrical position is formed, which may lead to many complicated positions, hence, this move should only be used by experts in the game. In this, any side can win, therefore, both the players have to be careful.

The Dutch Defense

This move is easiest to learn, and starts as 1. d5 f5. It is considered to be an aggressive counter play by black, in which it moves toward the white's kingside, with the objective of crushing the white. Even though it is a good move, it weakens the black's defenses, and does not help in developing pieces.

The Caro-Kann Defense

The move starts as 1. e4 c6, in which d5 challenges the white e4 pawn. A solid move, in which black avoids to block his King's bishop, but has to play c5, i.e., black will allow white to rule the center, while it tries to get a pawn at d5. The sequence as 1. e4 c6, 2. d4 d5, 3. Nc3 dxe4, in which black destroys white's central pawns and grow his own pieces.
For beginners or people new to the game, these moves might seem to be intimidating. To best utilize these moves, you will need to learn to play chess proficiently.
To this end, one can opt for undergoing lessons, which will teach you more than just the basics of the game. Since these common opening moves are time tested and proven to be successful, mastering them will increase your confidence in the early phases of the game.
They give better protection to the King, control an area of the board (specifically the center), give greater mobility to pieces, and allow possible opportunities to capture opposing pawns and pieces.