Instructional chess

OPEN GAMES They start: 1. e2-e4 e7-e5 XABCDEFGH 8rsnlwqkvlntr( 7zppzpp+pzpp' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2PzPPzP-zPPzP" 1tRNvLQmKLsNR! Xabcdefgh WHITE SAYS:
You're expecting the Ruy Lopez? Tough. I'm going to play my favourite opening and see what you know about it. It could be anything from a wild gambit to a quiet line. You'll soon find out.

BLACK SAYS:
These openingsreally aren't so scary. I'm well prepared: I can reach at least an equal position whichever one you choose. Go ahead and do your worst.

XABCDEFGH 8rsnlwqkvlntr( 7zppzpp+pzpp' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2PzPPzP-zPPzP" 1tRNvLQmKLsNR! Xabcdefgh Most of these openings fall into one of three categories:
1. White plays for a central break with d4 (Scotch Game, Ponziani, most lines ofGiuoco Piano and Two Knights). 2. White plays for a central break with f4 (King's Gambit, most lines of the Vienna and Bishop's Opening). 3. White plays quietly with d3 (Giuoco Pianissimo, Spanish Four Knights). We also look at some other defences for Black after 2. Ng1-f3, from safe defensive systems to sharp countergambits. What should Black do next?

Ideas for White:
Adults will expect theRuy Lopez while juniors are more used to this sort of opening. So it's a good idea to play the Ruy Lopez against juniors, and, for example, the Giuoco Piano against adults. Most of these openings lead to open positions. Rapid, effective development and King safety are the most important factors. Don't play the Ng5 line against good opponents unless you really know what you're doing. They won'tfall for the Fried Liver Attack: in many lines Black gives up a pawn or two for a dangerous initiative. It's worth learning a good reply to the Latvian and Elephant Gambits: they're quite popular at club level.

Ideas for Black:

1. A lot of these lines are very dangerous against an unprepared opponent. If you play 1... e5 you MUST have a good defence against ALL these openings. 2. In most ofthese openings the key move for Black to equalise is d7-d5. Go for it. Against gambits it's often worth returning the gambit pawn to play it. 3. There are several good ways for Black to avoid the Ruy Lopez. If you're looking for a safe, solid defence, consider the Petroff. If you don't mind taking a risk, try the Philidor with 3... f5. 4. If White opens the position with d4 or f4, rapid developmentand King safety are of paramount importance.

THE GIUOCO PIANO 1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3. Bf1-c4 Bf8-c5 XABCDEFGH 8r+lwqk+ntr( 7zppzpp+pzpp' 6-+n+-+-+& 5+-vl-zp-+-% 4-+L+P+-+$ 3+-+-+N+-# 2PzPPzP-zPPzP" 1tRNvLQmK-+R! Xabcdefgh
White can now choose: a) the Giuoco Pianissimo (d3 and Nc3) - boring as long as Black avoids castling after Bg5, b) the modern closed system (d3 and c3), withsimilar ideas to the Ruy Lopez, c) the classical Giuoco Piano (c3 and d4) - Black can equalise easily if he knows the theory but can lose quickly if he doesn't or d) the Evans Gambit (b4 followed by c3 and d4 when Black takes the pawn).

THE TWO KNIGHTS' DEFENCE 1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3. Bf1-c4 Ng8-f6 XABCDEFGH 8r+lwqkvl-tr( 7zppzpp+pzpp' 6-+n+-sn-+& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4-+L+P+-+$ 3+-+-+N+-#2PzPPzP-zPPzP" 1tRNvLQmK-+R! Xabcdefgh
Now White has a) Nc3 (not recommended: Nxe4 followed by d5 is fine for Black, b) d3 followed by c3 or Nc3 with a closed game, c) Ng5, trying for the Fried Liver Attack, but in many lines Black gives up material for a strong attack (4. Ng5 d5 5. exd5 Na5 or b5 or Nd4, NOT Nxd5), or d) d4 when Black can equalise as long as he avoids all the traps (he must startwith exd4, NOT Nxe4).

THE SCOTCH GAME 1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. Ng1-f3 Nb8-c6 3. d2-d4 e5xd4
The only good move: 3... d6 4. dxe5 is better for White.

4. Nf3xd4

Or White can play c3 - the Goring Gambit or Bc4 - the Scotch Gambit

XABCDEFGH 8r+lwqkvlntr( 7zppzpp+pzpp' 6-+n+-+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-sNP+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2PzPP+-zPPzP" 1tRNvLQmKL+R! Xabcdefgh
Now Nxd4 is a mistake, putting the White...