Theoria

Chess opening systems you can play against anything

A system is a setup you play almost regardless of your opponent’s moves. It trades some ambition for far less theory: you learn one set of plans deeply instead of many sharp lines. Systems suit players with little time to study, and anyone who wants familiar positions every game.

Systems for White

  1. London System

    1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4

    d4, Bf4, e3, Nf3, Bd3 and c3, against nearly anything Black plays. The most popular system in chess today.

    185k games · White scores 53%51%45%

  2. King's Indian Attack

    1. Nf3 d5 2. g3

    Nf3, g3, Bg2, castling, d3 and e4: the same kingside setup against the French, the Sicilian and 1...d5.

    149k games · White scores 55%52%43%

  3. Colle System

    1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3

    d4, Nf3, e3 and Bd3, then c3 and Nbd2 in preparation for the e4 break and a kingside attack.

    172k games · White scores 52%50%45%

  4. Torre Attack

    1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bg5

    Nf3 and Bg5 against ...Nf6, pinning the knight before e3 and c3 complete the setup.

  5. Rapport-Jobava System

    1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4

    Nc3 and Bf4: a more aggressive cousin of the London that can turn sharp quickly.

    163k games · White scores 55%53%43%

Systems for Black

  1. Modern Defense

    1. e4 g6

    ...g6, ...Bg7 and ...d6 against 1. e4, 1. d4 or anything else.

    1.0M games · Black scores 49%49%48%

  2. Dutch Defense: Stonewall Variation

    1. d4 f5 2. c4 Nf6 3. g3 e6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O d5

    ...f5, ...e6, ...d5 and ...c6 form a fixed wall that controls e4, so Black’s plans stay the same from game to game.

    468 games · Black scores 48%50%45%

  3. King's Indian Defense

    1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3

    One setup, with ...Nf6, ...g6, ...Bg7, ...d6 and castling, against 1. d4, 1. c4 and 1. Nf3 alike.

    217k games · Black scores 49%48%47%

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