Chances are that you’ve already had experience playing chess and you’re well aware that there are levels to the game. Complete novices in chess have a completely different approach to the game as compared to seasoned grandmasters. That being said, as a chess player, you’d do well to tailor your openings based on the chess rating. Below you’ll read about the most common opening combinations that are used and that you too can use when playing chess.

Beginner Level (700+)

At the complete novice level, there’s all but complete freedom in how you handle your openings. The reason for this is that your opponent may not be skilled enough to know what to do with your more wild openings. That being said, the 1.e4 openings that start with the King’s pawn are the most popular choice for players that are at this level. This is not to say that this opening is not applicable in chess games that you’ll play against stronger players. It’s an opening that offers tactical and dynamic play. Moreover, you’ll have attacking options that will open up down the line. Some of the openings that start with 1.e4 e5 are the Italian Game, the Petroff, the Scotch Game, and the Rui Lopez.

Intermediate (1500+)

At this level, you’re bound to use more of the 1.d4 openings, of openings with the Queen’s side pawn. Common responses are 1…Nf6 and 1…d5. The first response constitutes the Indian Defense, with the King’s Indian Defense and the Nimzo-Indian defense. The second response constitutes what’s known as a closed game, with the Queen’s Gambit variant being available. Although there are exceptions, the Queen’s pawn openings are of a more positional nature. If you want to master these openings, then you will need to have strategic long-term planning in mind. As such, this opening is definitely not to be used by novices – although even novices can have success with it.

Advanced (2000+)

If you watch chess games by grandmasters, then you’ll see that the variety of opening moves is severely diminished at this level. Some of the opening moves that area regularly seen in grandmaster matches are 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.Nf3, and 1.c4. One of the most frequently played responses to the 1.e4 opening by white is 1.c5. This is considered to be the undisputed response to the 1.e4 play by white, and it consists the so-called Sicilian Defense.

One popular opening at the advanced level is the Berlin Defense. This opening came about when grandmasters playing black started realizing that it’s difficult to get a win in a match against white. So, they theorized in creating the best possible defense so as to reach a draw outcome. Out of this theory came the Berlin Defense, or 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6. This opening gives black the biggest chance to draw the game.

Conclusion

So, you now know that players at different levels use a number of different opening styles. These openings have their various strengths and weaknesses. Regardless of the level where you’re at, you need to learn the ins and outs of the various openings. This will strengthen your knowledge of opening theory and it will translate into a bigger degree of success in chess. Good luck!

Website: Chess-boost

Course: Everyone's First Strategy Kit