Chess Openings

Names and Categories

At present comprehensive reference books like Oxford Companion to Chess or Encyclopedia of Chess Openings list thousands of such openings. They are named and categorized according to certain conventions. One of the most accepted methods of classification of openings is the classification by Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO) codes. However there are other classification methods.

On a broad level, when the choice of a particular sequence of moves depends on White's initiative it is called an "Opening", while if the choice of a particular sequence depends on Black, it is called a "Defense". However this is not definitive and many other terms are also used; for instance some of the older openings are known simply as "Game" (e.g. Four Knights Game). Individual names of openings can be quite varied. Some are named after former chess masters or players, who have introduced, developed, or popularized, the opening (e.g. Alekhine Defense). Sometimes they are attached to geographic areas due to historic reasons (Sicilian Defense). They can also be descriptive of the distinguishing characteristics of the opening (Queen's Gambit Accepted).

Chess openings are categorized according to the actual moves as well. When the initial move of opening is e4, it is called a King's Pawn Opening, if d4, it is called a Queen's Pawn Opening. Sometimes this is divided further; 1.e4 e5 leads to Open or Double King Pawn Games, 1.e4 without e5 to Semi-Open or Single King Pawn Games, 1.d4 d5 as Closed or Double Queen Pawn Games, 1.d4 without d5 as Semi-Closed or Single Queen Pawn Games, and 1.c4, 1.Nf3, 1.f4, and some others to Flank openings. Rest is classed under unusual openings.

This last method of categorization lends itself to easier study of openings, even though the words such as "open" and "closed" may not accurately reflect the actual situation on the board after the opening sequence.

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Chess Openings