Learn chess openings
Each opening is a path of variations, and each variation is learned, played and then quizzed. Pick the side you want to fix first.
If you are starting out, you need fewer openings than you think: one for White, and an answer to 1.e4 and 1.d4 as Black. Three, not thirty. The courses below are whole repertoires, so picking one settles that side of the board for you.
As White
The Italian Game
43 variations · C50, C53, C54, C42, C41
A calm 1.e4 setup: bishop to c4, c3, d3, castle, and one simple idea against everything Black tries.
The Alapin Sicilian
60 variations · B22
Skip twenty years of Sicilian theory with 2.c3, then build a big centre with d4.
Beat the French
38 variations · C01
Open the French up with the Exchange, and leave Black's locked-centre plans with nothing to lock.
Beat the Caro-Kann
6 variations · B13
Trade on d5, aim the pieces at the kingside, and make the solid Caro-Kann prove it has a plan.
Beat the Scandinavian
42 variations · B01
Black's queen comes out on move two. Chase her with tempo and enjoy a free lead in development.
Beat the Pirc and Modern
6 variations · B07, B06, B08
Black hands you the centre. Take it, develop normally, castle, and no pawn storm required.
Beat the Alekhine
45 variations · B02, B04, B05
Black's knight invites you to chase it. Accept, build the centre, and stop before you overdo it.
The London System
75 variations · D02, A46, A48, A45
One setup for every occasion: d4, Bf4, e3, Nf3. The opening that lets you stop worrying about opening theory.
As Black
The Caro-Kann
65 variations · B10, B12, B13, B18, B19
A solid answer to 1.e4 that gets the good bishop out before closing the door behind it.
The Slav Defense
70 variations · D10, D11, D12, D15
Answer the Queen's Gambit with ...c6: the d5 pawn stays, the bishop gets out, and the plan barely changes.
Beat the London and Quiet Systems
52 variations · D02, D03, D04, D01
White wants a quiet game. Hit d4 with ...c5, line up ...Qb6 on b2, and make it less quiet.
Beat the English
40 variations · A10, A11, B10
Meet 1.c4 with the same ...c6 and ...d5 you already know, and learn almost nothing new.
Beat the Reti
32 variations · A04, A05, A09
White attacks the centre from the side. Keep a solid chain and get the light bishop out in time.
Beat the Bird, 1.g3 and Larsen
51 variations · A02, A03, A00, A01
Bird, 1.g3, Larsen: odd first moves, one calm reply. Take the centre and let them explain themselves.