In chess, like most things in life, humans can be fickle. Some are crazy about speed chess while others who consider themselves to be purists will only play conventional games. Some players are thrilled by the middle game, while for others it’s all about the end game. Of course, seasoned players will also change their preferences from time to time.
Chess masters through the ages have been heard to loathe this gambit and that opening and with their opinions, even caused certain tactics to fall out of favour and remain consigned to chess theory.
There is, however, one trait that unites chess players all over the world and that is the desire to improve their Elo rating. That means becoming good at playing chess. If that sounds appealing, you will need to know your defences and also, your best chess moves to start.
In this article, you’ll find out about top chess openings to improve your overall reputation as a chess player!
The Ruy Lopez Opening
In chess, you get what is called an Open Game. This is a chess game that is identified by a pair of opening moves: 1. e4 e5 in Algebra translates to the White moving the king's pawn two squares to e4. Black then mirrors that move and ends up on square e5. There are dozens of top chess openings, among them games that open with those moves; among them are these best opening chess moves:
- Centre Game
- Four Knights Game
- The Latvian Gambit
- Bishop's Opening
- the Elephant Gambit
You could also choose the Ruy Lopez as the best chess opening move. While all of these mean that you move a pair, it doesn’t mean that they are all played that way.
The thing that makes them unique is what happens after the two kings’ pawns battle it out. When it comes to Ruy Lopez, the notation is 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
The Ruy Lopez is without one of the most widely played best chess openings. The reason is because of its versatility. In fact, studying the Ruy Lopez which some believe is the best chess opening move, is important for every chess enthusiast.
The Scotch Game
Amongst the contenders for the best chess opening move is the Scotch Game. The name originated between a player in London and Edinburgh before instant communication made long-distance playing methods a thing of the past.
The Scotch Game is known for its two mirror moves: the king’s pawn confrontation followed by White’s kingside and Black’s queenside knight facing off (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6).
It is typical in chess for several games to open with these two answer-response moves. The aspect that sets the Scotch game apart is the White’s third move: this is when you advance the queen’s pawn up a square to take control of the centre of the board.
In the past, this game was looked down upon by the chess masters because it was thought that Black could too quickly equalise. For this and other reasons, it languished in disfavour for a couple of centuries. That is, until one of today’s top players, grandmaster Gary Kasparov restored the Scotch Game as one of the best chess moves to start.
The Italian Game
The Italian game is also widely known as the Giuoco Piano - the so-called quiet game. Just as the 'Open Game' (note the capitalisation) describes a family of top chess openings that start with 1. e4 e5, the Italian game includes all games that begin with this specific notation: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4.
Note: open games (lowercase) are games where the board is 'open'. This means that lines (diagonals and files) are opened through exchanges. These are the opposite of closed games, which are characterised by confined positions and interlocked pawn structures. Did the kingside bishop's one-square-further development catch your eye? That single square is the difference between the Ruy Lopez and The Italian Game. The Italian bishop intimidates Black's f7 pawn; the most defenceless and tactically vital piece in Black's army. But, what about the quiet game that the Italian game is also known as? Giuoco Piano is identified by 3. ... Bc5. This is Black's answer to White's Italian Bishop. This will maintain tension in the centre while opening a series of intriguing and challenging defences and options. There’s no doubt, the Italian Game is a good choice for top chess openings.
The Sicilian Defence
So far, all of these top chess openings were immortalised during the game’s Romantic era, which is generally thought to have lasted from the beginning of the 18th Century until around 1840. Some maintain that it ended in 1873 with the Vienna Tournament.
The fact that the best chess openings have names derived from the Romance language is pure coincidence.
The timeline of chess history matches the musical, literary and intellectual movement that swept across Europe during the Age of Enlightenment.
That these openings/defences all have names that invoke Romance languages is pure coincidence. Chess's Romantic timeline roughly matches the literary, musical, and intellectual movement that swept across Europe, born out of the Age of Enlightenment.
The Sicilian Defence is one of the best opening chess moves and it was born during a time when the style of playing was decisive and tactical. Some renowned players criticised this defence by saying that it gave Black a fairer shot at equality, unlike other top chess openings that see the second player begin with a disadvantage.
The Sicilian, even though it is one of the best opening chess moves, is not a member of the Open Game family. Its first move-pair shuns the symmetry that is typical of Open Games. is not a member of the Open Game family; its initial move-pair shuns Open's typical symmetry. Whatever your view, the Sicilian Defence, as one of the best chess openings is worthy of a further read.
The French Defence
At first glance, the French Defence, which is also one of the best chess moves to start, appears insulting. It is a bit like replying to a passionate declaration with ‘sure, whatever.’
White confidently advances their king's pawn to e4. Black answers with a lukewarm advance to e6. Pretty boring right, but appearances can be deceiving.
Far from being bland, the French is one of the best opening chess moves because of its solid and resilient defence against White’s early aggression. This trade-off means that Black's elaborate building of its pawn structures leaves little room for manoeuvring.
Indeed, those who criticise this defence cite its cramped conditions and lack of piece development as its drawbacks. Thousands of game statistics have revealed that Black struggles to gain ground by using this defence. When White uses this best chess opening move, Black is more likely to draw than win. However, if you are willing to master the intricacies and variations of the French Defence, you could find yourself on the winning side of the table.
The King's Gambit
You may be wondering why kings, imbued with divine authority would need to sacrifice anything for later, greater gain. That is really how to describe a gambit and it is what happens with this best chess opening move.
The notation of the move, 1. e4 e5 2. f4 is part of the Open Game family. When Black accepts it, the gambit means sacrificing the f4 pawn however, this loss is soon regained when White moves their queenside bishop to take Black's f4 pawn.
This sequence also ensures White’s control over the board’s centre. So, why would Black accept such a deal when there are many other responses to offer? You’ll need to read more about that in our in-depth article on the intricacies of the King's Gambit.
The Queen's Gambit
As one of the best chess moves to start, the Queen’s Gambit is probably responsible for the modern chess craze in modern times. Part of its popularity is thanks to the Netflix series which appealed to many non-chess players.
Not an Open Game (1. d4 d5 2. c4) it is known as one of the best opening chess moves even though its empty sacrifice of a pawn is not technically a gambit because Black cannot hold onto it.
Not unlike the King's Gambit, Black can accept or decline the gambit by choosing to respond with another move. The Queen’s Gambit is one of the oldest and best chess openings in history.
You’ll either love it or hate it, but either way, it has enjoyed immense popularity. Just like fashion, the details of the Queen’s Gambit tend to constantly recycle themselves into something new and interesting for chess players of all ranks, the world over.
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