RUY LOPEZ
The most important opening after 1. e4 e5 - the choice of most grandmasters.

OTHER OPEN GAMES
Giuoco Piano, Two Knights Defence, Scotch Opening, King's Gambit, Vienna Game etc.

FRENCH DEFENCE
A very popular opening which scores well in Junior Chess.

SICILIAN DEFENCE
Favoured by Kasparov, Fischer and most other top Grandmasters.

OTHER SEMI-OPEN GAMES
Caro-Kann Defence, Pirc Defence, Modern Defence, Scandinavian Defence etc.

QUEEN'S GAMBIT
White's usual choice after 1. d4 d5 - with a high plus score at all levels.

NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENCE
Also includes Queen's Indian and Bogo-Indian Defences - solid and strong choices for Black.

KING'S INDIAN DEFENCE
Includes Gruenfeld Defence, Modern Benoni and Benko Gambit - aggressive replies to d4.

OTHER QUEEN'S PAWN OPENINGS
Includes Dutch Defence, Colle System, Torre and Trompowski Attacks, Catalan Opening.

ENGLISH OPENING
A popular Grandmaster choice - also includes Reti, Bird's, Nimzo-Larsen Attack etc.