Iron Man:Probably something calm and simple like the Reti for white,as for the black pieces he would probably go for a Caro-Kann or a French defence.
Fictional characters and what openings they'd play
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Hi! I keep finding myself back here. It's a really fun topic of discussion and I thought I'd give some thoughts:
Spiderman: I like the idea of Spiderman playing prophylactically due to his spider sense. And also, given the running theme of being unable to pay the bills, I think he would be willing to sacrifice material for the initiative (greater good). So I think he would play a game of chess trying to restrict his opponent's future ideas and root out potentially annoying ideas before they bear fruit. And when the opportunity arises, his attacks would involve a somewhat sound (computer eval is at least equal) sacrifice of a piece. Due to his spider sense, I can definitely imagine his playing strength to be CM level. Maybe higher if he really puts the work in, but since he's busy saving the world, it probably wouldn't be his priority.
Star-lord: Being a boy at heart, I think he would always opt for a Wayward Queen attack as white and as black too if possible, hoping his opponents would blunder. He would probably like to bring the Queen out early even if no obvious tricks are available. As he matures as a player, I don't think he would change his opening choice, but instead learn how to stabilize and play a real game of chess from the Wayward Queen attack positions. I can imagine his peak rapid online rating to be 1500. But given that his chess games would be mostly against the guardians while on the ship, he would probably be the best player there since he's from Earth and would either get the Wayward Queen tricks to work or simply get a playable position and win via a basic tactic after a hard think and "somewhat clean" conversion of material advantages.
Captain America: You might think that he would play romantic gambits because of the era he grew up in. Maybe he plays the Evans Gambit because "Chris Evans"? Nah, I don't think it fits his character. I think he would be super hesitant to gambit or sacrifice. He wouldn't want to be down material because "we don't trade lives". And this might be why he loses his games sometimes. His stubbornness (like how his hesitation to sacrifice Vision ultimately led to Thanos winning the mind stone). I don't think he would study opening theory. He would probably play into the four knights or the italian game as either color by adhering to opening principles. He might play a few "training games" with his coach Iron Man. Iron Man wouldn't play his usual repertoire and opt to play more classically to help Cap learn the ropes. At some point in their training games, Cap would play the Giuoco Piano to avoid the Iron Man's Fried Liver. His peak rating after 2 years of coaching from Iron Man might be 1200 rapid. Which is genuinely respectable for someone learning the game so late.
Superboy (Connor Kent from Young Justice): I think he is a character with a complex identity. On one hand, he wants to be Superman, but he lacks some of big blue's powers. When first learning the game, he would probably play incredibly straightforward one move threats. But after a year of coaching from maybe Robin, I think Superboy would eventually play "professional openings" like ruy lopez, queen's gambit, sicilian that are "too theory heavy for beginners", but great choices at the top level. But within these openings, he would pick or even create his own niche variations that go off the beaten path. And he would get good at these niche positions. This aligns with his arc in the show where he finds his place and eventually grows into his own character instead of comparing himself to Superman all the time. His starting elo is probably 400, but I think he could climb to 1800 over time.
Robin (from Young Justice): A major turning point for his character was realizing that he doesn't want to be like Batman anymore. So unlike Batman's opening choice always trying to get into a better end game (maybe trading down, losing a bit of advantage but still better). I think Robin's opening choice would try to be more flexible and prioritize harmonious piece development, even if it might lead to slightly worse end games. If Batman plays the QGD, trapping in the light square bishop, then Robin would play the Nimzo-Indian Defense, choosing b6 lines to keep the light square bishop useful. His rating is probably 2000 rapid at least.
Kid Flash (Young Justice): Even though the Flash would leverage his speed force to enter deep calculation in tactical-filled positions and win on time, I think Kid Flash's immaturity coupled with the speed force leading him to perceive time differently would just lead to him being super impatient over the board. Kid Flash might want to enter wild positions earlier on where on a practical level, he can out calculate his opponents, but a computer engine would disagree. I think the Traxler Countergambit is something he would play for both colors. His rating is probably 1800 bullet (since bullet probably feels like rapid to him).
Yes, it's only conjecture on my part. This thread, like chess, is supposed to be fun
Spiderman: The 1.Nf3 variation of the Nimzo-Larsen as white, Queen's Indian systems as black, and the Paulsen against 1.e4 as he wants to quietly wait for the opponent to commit and undermine the center at opportune times.
Superman: I imagine him to be a strong calculation player like Kasparov, so sharp openings leading to highly complex positions.
Batman: A balanced Botvinnik style with a preference for endgames as there his deductive reasoning and schematic thinking would shine. I see him playing the Caro-Kahn, and Slav or Semi-Slav positions as black, 1.e4 going for a four knights as white, playing wait and see while steadily improving his position.
Patrick from Spongebob: The Englund and Damiano as black, 1.e4-f3-g4 setup as white... and never figuring out why he loses.
Squidward: His personality is quite fuddy duddy like Tarrasch, so naturally the Tarrasch Defense ^_^
Applejack: She's honest and simple, and therefore prefers simple, direct, and unpretentious openings such as 1...d5 against 1.e4 and likely plays this against anything. As white it's hard to say, but probably likes the Van Geet or 1.Nf3 and see where things go from there. Against 1.d4 would likely go for the Budapest.
Rainbow Dash: I definitely see her as a Danish Gambit player who seizes initiative and activity now and thinks later. Likely prefers 1...d5 against 1.e4 like Applejack.
Wolverine: He grew up during the Civil War Era and is simply awesome (Gosh I miss X-Men the Animated Series). I can certainly see him playing the King's Gambit, King's Indian Defense, and the Svenshikov (spelling?) Sicilian (or whatever the one where black accepts doubled f-pawns for activity) as they suit his aggressive personality.
The Joker: He is random, spontaneous, and cunning. He is intelligent enough to know better than to risk losing with trappy, anti-positional chess, but will nevertheless play barely playable openings such as the Basman's Defense or 1...Na6 against 1.e4 as black or the simply dubious but still playable 1.Na3 attack as white... yet somehow still wins... Okay, I'll just come out and say it, he would be a computer cheater who has Harley relay moves to him via Bluetooth that and she in turn has a video feed of his games via hidden camera (in his pocket rose?) after his ridiculous opening choices. Then again when does the Joker ever play fair?