Chess

Chess opening refers to a series of moves made by the players in the initial stages of the chess game that will pave way for the game to progress further involving threats, sacrifices and captures in the pursuit of gaining control over the game and saying “checkmate” to the opponent’s King.

What is the need for a series of moves in the opening stages? Can it not happen in a single move from one player over the other player? Chess is not a game of dice or any other game involving chance or luck and as such, there is no possibility of winning over the opponent in a single move. The effectiveness of the chess openings and the subsequent tactical ploys, involving effective planning and careful execution, ultimately determine the fate of the game.

In a game of chess, each player is provided with a set of sixteen pieces, and the pieces are arranged in a set order. The most important or primary piece in the game of chess is the King and it is the only piece that stays in the board right from the beginning until the end of the game. In other words, the King is the only piece that cannot be removed from the board, since the removal or capture of the King culminates in the end of the game. This King is situated in the first rank, in the case of white pieces, and in the eighth rank, in the case of black pieces. The second rank, in case of white pieces, is occupied by the white pawns, while the seventh rank, in the case of black pieces, is occupied by the black pawns. Except the Knights, no other pieces in the board, including the King, are allowed to hop over another piece or another square occupied by a piece. This makes it clear that the objective of the game of chess of saying checkmate to the opponent’s King cannot happen in a single move. The least number of moves that might be required to say checkmate to the opponent is not less than three, if not more.

The objective of the game of chess is to make the opponent commit a mistake or two that might help you to seize the opportunity and launch an attack on the opponent’s King and ultimately strive to say checkmate. The logical conclusion of a game of chess involving equal number of pieces with equal strength and capability to both the players is none other than a draw. But the mistake of one player as a result of a wrong calculation or lapse of concentration might allow the other player to say checkmate to you.

It is in this context that chess openings play a vital role. A series of moves from both the players are required before any meaningful attack on the opponent is launched convincingly. The second rank in the case of white pieces and the seventh rank in the case of black pieces provide the cover to the major pieces, the queen and the King that are stationed in the back rank. Opening up the pawns, bringing the major pieces to the center and gaining control over the vital squares are some of the features of a typical chess opening carried out in the early stages. Chess openings provide the platform for the middle game to start effectively and function efficiently in the pursuit of capturing the opponent’s pieces and claim victory on the opponent.

A player, who is about to make his first move – in this case the player opting for white pieces, is provided to choose any one move from the available 20 alternatives. But all the 20 alternatives need not provide the desired result which includes providing safety to one’s King and preparing to launch a counter attack. Only some of the 20 alternatives are effectively used for chess opening in a game.