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How to Learn Chess Openings Online

Chess is a centuries-old game that requires tactical thinking and strategy. The goal is to capture the opposing player's king. Sixteen pieces (eight pawns, six power pieces, the queen and the king) are at each player's disposal. Chess is typically broken down into three main areas of game play: the opening, the middle game and the end game. Strong openings pave the way for the end game; mistakes in the opening, however, are not always fatal. Tinker and experiment with different openings to develop some that fit your style of play.

Instructions

- 1
  Set up your chess set as if you were going to play a game. Remember that a white square should be at your right on the back file. While many Internet sites have electronic displays, it helps to cement your learning by using an actual chess set.
- 2
  Log on to the Internet and access chess-specific sites that offer instruction on openings. Chess.com, eudesign.com and chess-poster.com are three popular sites.
- 3
  Position your mouse over the link titled "Openings" or "Chess Openings" and click on the link.
- 4
  Click on the opening options and read the descriptions; follow along with your own chess set. One common opening is the French Defense. White opens by playing pawn to e4 and black responds by playing pawn to e6. According to chess-poster.com, two world champions used this opening: Mikhail Botvinnik and Tigran Petrosian.
- 5
  Study past games by clicking on the links available on the chess sites to see how successful or unsuccessful the openings can be. Read the commentary and adjust your style of play to the opening that fits your playing style.

Chess & Checkers