Openings
- Chess Atlas Subsections
- VOL. I • Chess HistoryFrom Chaturanga to Neural Engines
- VOL. II • Classic ChessPieces, Notation & Rules
- VOL. III • Legendary PlayersPantheon of Chess Immortals
- VOL. IV • Great GamesInteractive game studies
- VOL. V • OpeningsOriginal CAISSORA Opening Articles
- VOL. VI • Tactics & StrategyForks, Pins & Board Geometry
King's Knight Opening
The most natural second move
- Classical
2.Nf3 attacks the e5 pawn, prepares to castle short and supports a later d4. It is not one system but the common doorway to most open games: the Ruy Lopez, the Italian, the Scotch, the Petrov. Most often Black defends the pawn with 2…Nc6.
5…Be7
Moves
(10 plies • 5 moves)- 1–5moves
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
Defining move
2.Nf3 — an attack on e5 that also develops
The move that starts most open games
The knight develops and makes a threat at the same time, so Black has to react. The main answers are 2…Nc6 and 2…Nf6, with 2…d6 seen more rarely. After that White chooses between the bishop on b5, the bishop on c4, or d4 in the centre.
Tabiya
The Ruy Lopez: a typical position
White puts pressure on the c6 knight, which guards the e5 pawn, and has castled. Black has developed a knight and a bishop and prepares to castle too. White wants to trade on c6 or build the centre with c3 and d4. Black holds e5 and looks for activity with …b5 and …d6.
White’s plan
- Develop and castle.
- Pressure e5 through the c6 knight with the bishop on b5, or with d4.
- Prepare c3 and d4 and take the centre.
Black’s plan
- Defend e5 with …Nc6 and develop calmly.
- Castle and prepare …d6 or …d5.
- Play …b5 and …Bb7 when activity is needed.
Games in the Atlas
No games in the Atlas yet