Q&A for How to Win Chess Openings: Playing Black

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  • Question
    Is black or white better in chess?
    Sahaj Grover
    Chess Grandmaster
    Sahaj Grover is a Chess Grandmaster, World Champion, and coach, who attained his Grandmaster title at the age of 16. He has been a World Junior Bronze Medalist, World U10 Champion, South African Open 2017 & 2018 Champion, and the Winner of the Arnold Classic 2018 & 2019. Sahaj is known for dynamic attacking skills and being an excellent endgame player.
    Chess Grandmaster
    Expert Answer
    Statistically speaking, white is a better color because you get to move first, so you'll have an advantage after 10-15 moves. However, I actually prefer black, because you have the advantage of seeing your opponent's strategy before you move.
  • Question
    Which Sicilian defense is best?
    Sahaj Grover
    Chess Grandmaster
    Sahaj Grover is a Chess Grandmaster, World Champion, and coach, who attained his Grandmaster title at the age of 16. He has been a World Junior Bronze Medalist, World U10 Champion, South African Open 2017 & 2018 Champion, and the Winner of the Arnold Classic 2018 & 2019. Sahaj is known for dynamic attacking skills and being an excellent endgame player.
    Chess Grandmaster
    Expert Answer
    One of the best lines for Sicilian Defense is called the Najdorf, and it's often used by higher-rated players because it hasn't been defeated. The Sicilian Taimanov is another good one. However, I wouldn't recommend these lines to a beginner because they're highly complicated. If you're just getting started, it's best to play a line that doesn't require so many variations, because it's easy to get overwhelmed when it's all combined.
  • Question
    How many types of chess openings are there?
    Sahaj Grover
    Chess Grandmaster
    Sahaj Grover is a Chess Grandmaster, World Champion, and coach, who attained his Grandmaster title at the age of 16. He has been a World Junior Bronze Medalist, World U10 Champion, South African Open 2017 & 2018 Champion, and the Winner of the Arnold Classic 2018 & 2019. Sahaj is known for dynamic attacking skills and being an excellent endgame player.
    Chess Grandmaster
    Expert Answer
    There are over 100 different openings in chess, but you don't have to memorize them all. To have a good repertoire, you should probably know about 15-20 openings, and those should include both black and white. However, it's also really important to know a proper response to each of the openings. That way, if your opponent opens with e5, Sicilian, Ilya Kan, or French, you'll know what to do.
  • Question
    What if my opponent does not start the in the position shown in the article?
    Community Answer
    You just have to learn the best responses to each opening move. It all comes from experience and practice, there isn't an easy shortcut to chess.
  • Question
    I am choosing between Sicilian defense and French defense. What are your thoughts?
    Community Answer
    I play the French currently and have reached 1900. I think it's a very solid opening. For a more aggressive double-edged opening, choose the Sicilian.
  • Question
    Is the King's Indian defense the best defense?
    Community Answer
    No, there are many openings and moves in chess. I personally love the Queen's Gambit Declined and Accepted as you gain control to the center and are able to demolish the Rook and outside pieces.
  • Question
    Is the french defense okay for a 1200-rated player?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is okay. You need practice with the opening because it's a tough one!
  • Question
    This is wrong; the queen and king need to be swapped around, correct?
    Community Answer
    No. The queen starts on a square of her own color. (The queen wears the crown; the king wears the cross.)
  • Question
    What is the Sicilian defense in chess?
    Community Answer
    The Sicilian defense is a response to the standard opening where you begin by moving the king's bishop pawn out two to deny the King's pawn access to the central 4 squares. It controls the center by threatening those squares from afar.
  • Question
    How can I check the piece position?
    Community Answer
    "Queen to her color": the white queen starts on a white square; the black queen starts on a dark square.
  • Question
    How do I execute an en passant capture move?
    Community Answer
    It's more of a reactionary move. If an opposing pawn moves two spaces forwards while your pawn is in position to go behind their pawn diagonally, you can execute en passante.
  • Question
    Is there a way to achieve checkmate in two moves?
    Community Answer
    Yes, check out wikiHow to Perform a Fool's Mate in Chess for info.
  • Question
    Is castling a good idea?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the situation, as it can help you get your king to safety and get your rook active, but it's risky. Doing it at the wrong time can lead to defeat.
  • Question
    Should I choose to play as black or white?
    Community Answer
    Overall, the best choice is going to come down to your playing style and how good your opponent is at attacking pieces. I would try both and see which one is more suited to you.
  • Question
    Is it better to defend or attack?
    Community Answer
    Personally, I think it's better to attack first to keep your opponent on their toes and questioning what you're about to do. It really depends on your playing style though. Some people prefer to be cautious and stick to defense.
  • Question
    How can I beat grandmasters as an amateur?
    Community Answer
    Not going to happen. It would take a year of significant study to have a chance to beat an average tournament player over the board.
  • Question
    What if the white player opens by moving both the king's pawn and the queen's pawn two steps forward. None of your defenses addressed that.
    Community Answer
    That will be an opening too. You can refer your preferring a move at that time. Mostly, use can use the most common app, chess.com to play and improve your chess knowledge. They will be teaching you every opening.
  • Question
    Does bird's opening as white provide higher chance of winning?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it can provide a higher chance. But only if you think well and play well. You know, if you can't play well, then it is no use trying to win merely through using different openings.
  • Question
    What are the chances you will get checkmated if I use these openings?
    Community Answer
    Whatever opening you play, you can get checkmated if you didn't play well.
  • Question
    Can the king kill a king?
    Community Answer
    No, because neither king can get close enough to the other king in order to capture it. (In other words, it is illegal for a king to move into a square right next to the other king, since that would be placing the first king in check.)
  • Question
    The King's Indian Defence - how do you play?
    Community Answer
    The King’s Indian Defense is a chess opening for black that can be played when your opponent begins starts with d4, the Queen’s pawn opening. The main idea for black is to let white gain initial space in the center while black develops minor pieces to attack the center later.
  • Question
    How are chess players rated? What does a competition table look like?
    Lorelai Jensen
    Community Answer
    Chess players are rated based by their skill performance and by how much they play. In tournaments, players are assigned to a board number (with board 1 being the best player, board 2 the second best, etc.. The games have time control and you must write down your moves and your opponent's moves.
  • Question
    At the French defense on the third step, the opponents will most likely capture and make an exchange. I don't think white will defend the pawn, which black is putting under risk of capture.
    KW H
    Community Answer
    Then black gains space. Which is bad for white, so white needs to defend the pawn.
  • Question
    What is the best defense to a Queen Pawn opening?
    Community Answer
    You could go for the Slav Defense (Queen Gambit is common). It is better than e6 because white can trade a wing pawn for your central e-pawn.
  • Question
    What is the best move if the first move by the opponent plays their knight to C3?
    Community Answer
    d5 is the best move. Moving either knight is also good. 1 Nc3 can transpose to other openings pretty easily, so pick a move that you can transpose to an opening you're comfortable with.
  • Question
    Can a Polish Opening beat a 1600 above player?
    Community Answer
    Any player can be beaten, depending on conditions. For example, they may be tired or distracted. However, b4 is a very unusual move, as players are usually trying to develop their defense/attack in the center of the board.
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