A few vocabulary words for beginners here

Here are some words that beginners may not know about, but are essential when discussing openings. If anyone has any words to add, please do so:

Gambit:

This is when material is sacraficed for something else, for example:

A lead in development

More active pieces

Capitalizing on a weak move of the opponents

better pawn structure

and so on.

Open games:

Chess games starting with 1. e4 e5

Semi- Open games:

Chess games starting with 1. e4, and something other than e5. The most popluar is c5, the Sicilian Defense.

Closed games:

games starting with 1. d4 d5

Indian Defenses

Games starting with 1. d4 Nf6

Flank openings:

Opening moves by white other than e4 or d4. Most notably the English (1. c4) and 1. Nf3.

I

Also:

Countergambit

A gambit by Black, although not all gambits by Black are countergambits. It does not need to be in response to a gambit by White. For example:

Thanks rgp89.

Also, note that not every gambit by black is called a countergambit. For example:

This is the Lavitan Gambit:

1. e4   e5

2. Nf3  f5

This is a gambit by Black, but not called a countergambit.

Another word:

Indian Defense:

Any opening system that begins 1. d4  Nf6.

Examples include Nimzo Indian Defense, Bogo Indian Defense, Queen's Indian Defense, King's Indian Defense, and Dzindzi-Indian Defense.

The Lativan Gambit was FORMERLY known as the Greco Countergambit. The name "Lativan Gambit" is now the official name. (Thanks for pointing that out anyway BILL_5666!)