Best chess openings
By Chessvia · Updated Nov 13, 2026
The best chess openings for most players are the Italian Game, Ruy Lopez, Queen's Gambit and London System as White, and the Caro-Kann, French Defense and Sicilian Defense as Black against 
1.e4.
At 1600 to 1999 on Lichess, White wins between 48.3% and 52.0% of the games in all 10 openings below, so none of them wins on its own. Pick the one whose ideas you enjoy playing.
Best chess openings side by side
All ten openings, from 28,765,986 Lichess games at 1600 to 1999 in September 2026, all speeds, bullet to classical. Bold marks the result for the side that plays the opening.
| Opening | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Games | Engine (+ means White is better) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian GameWhite · 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 | 49.8% | 3.9% | 46.3% | 839,438 | +0.14 |
| Ruy LopezWhite · 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 | 50.9% | 4.4% | 44.7% | 420,520 | +0.18 |
| Queen's GambitWhite · 1.d4 d5 2.c4 | 51.8% | 4.2% | 44.0% | 1,165,562 | +0.31 |
| London SystemWhite · 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 | 50.6% | 4.6% | 44.8% | 562,786 | +0.17 |
| Scotch GameWhite · 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 | 52.0% | 4.2% | 43.8% | 458,715 | +0.32 |
| Caro-Kann DefenseBlack · 1.e4 c6 | 48.3% | 4.1% | 47.6% | 1,635,111 | +0.25 |
| French DefenseBlack · 1.e4 e6 | 48.3% | 3.9% | 47.7% | 1,885,980 | +0.35 |
| Sicilian DefenseBlack · 1.e4 c5 | 48.8% | 3.9% | 47.4% | 3,158,607 | +0.36 |
| Scandinavian DefenseBlack · 1.e4 d5 | 48.4% | 3.8% | 47.8% | 1,967,994 | +0.74 |
| Slav DefenseBlack · 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 | 50.8% | 4.7% | 44.5% | 240,339 | +0.41 |
Key numbers
- 89,396,008 rated Lichess games from September 2026 with a result and both ratings were counted for this page; 57.7% began 1.e4 and 25.6% began 1.d4.
- At 1600 to 1999, White wins 49.8% to 52.0% of games across the five White openings here (September 2026), so no opening wins on its own.
- All ten openings win less often for the side that plays them at 2200 and up than at 1000 to 1199 (September 2026, both players inside the band).
- Ruy Lopez games ended in a draw 22.6% of the time at 2200 and up, against 3.5% at 1000 to 1199 (83,971 and 123,255 games), while all games in that band are drawn 6.6%; we have not split the Ruy Lopez by variation.
- 1.e4 is White's first move in 64.8% of games at 1000 to 1199 and 43.4% at 2200 and up (September 2026).
How these openings score as ratings rise
Every one of the ten wins less often at 2200 and up than at 1000 to 1199. The biggest fall is the Ruy Lopez, from 51.8% to 41.4%. Each cell is the win rate for the side that plays the opening.
| Opening | 1000 to 1199 | 1400 to 1599 | 1600 to 1999 | 1800 to 1999 | 2200+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian GameWhite | 51.0%313,568 | 50.3%514,391 | 49.8%839,438 | 49.4%289,081 | 46.2%65,971 |
| Ruy LopezWhite | 51.8%123,255 | 50.9%228,589 | 50.9%420,520 | 50.5%158,251 | 41.4%83,971 |
| Queen's GambitWhite | 53.4%170,070 | 52.5%448,024 | 51.8%1,165,562 | 51.4%481,106 | 49.5%168,826 |
| London SystemWhite | 52.6%182,913 | 51.3%319,691 | 50.6%562,786 | 50.5%197,281 | 49.9%34,284 |
| Scotch GameWhite | 53.6%136,266 | 52.9%274,047 | 52.0%458,715 | 51.4%156,506 | 47.4%35,180 |
| Caro-KannBlack | 49.0%257,958 | 48.8%656,224 | 47.6%1,635,111 | 47.1%682,741 | 44.4%303,193 |
| FrenchBlack | 48.9%270,278 | 48.6%731,480 | 47.7%1,885,980 | 47.4%790,393 | 44.7%318,484 |
| SicilianBlack | 49.1%294,818 | 48.4%1,012,211 | 47.4%3,158,607 | 46.9%1,387,306 | 44.2%687,633 |
| ScandinavianBlack | 46.9%444,357 | 48.2%873,254 | 47.8%1,967,994 | 47.6%786,160 | 45.8%226,276 |
| SlavBlack | 45.5%20,000 | 45.7%68,106 | 44.5%240,339 | 44.2%109,500 | 41.8%49,624 |
Which opening wins most at your rating
Find your band in each group. The bars show how often the side that plays the opening wins, from 1000 to 1199 up to 2200 and above. A table of the numbers sits under each chart, and each opening name links to its board.
Every White opening wins less often at 2200 and up than at 1000 to 1199
Each group shows one White opening at four rating bands.
- 51.0% 1000 to 1199
- 50.3% 1400 to 1599
- 49.8% 1600 to 1999
- 46.2% 2200+
- 51.8% 1000 to 1199
- 50.9% 1400 to 1599
- 50.9% 1600 to 1999
- 41.4% 2200+
- 53.4% 1000 to 1199
- 52.5% 1400 to 1599
- 51.8% 1600 to 1999
- 49.5% 2200+
- 52.6% 1000 to 1199
- 51.3% 1400 to 1599
- 50.6% 1600 to 1999
- 49.9% 2200+
- 53.6% 1000 to 1199
- 52.9% 1400 to 1599
- 52.0% 1600 to 1999
- 47.4% 2200+
Dashed line: half of all games (50.0%).
Show the numbers as a table
| Opening | 1000 to 1199 | 1400 to 1599 | 1600 to 1999 | 2200+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian Game (plays White) | 51.0% | 50.3% | 49.8% | 46.2% |
| Ruy Lopez (plays White) | 51.8% | 50.9% | 50.9% | 41.4% |
| Queen's Gambit (plays White) | 53.4% | 52.5% | 51.8% | 49.5% |
| London System (plays White) | 52.6% | 51.3% | 50.6% | 49.9% |
| Scotch Game (plays White) | 53.6% | 52.9% | 52.0% | 47.4% |
Every Black defense also wins less often at 2200 and up
Each group shows one defense at four rating bands.
- 49.0% 1000 to 1199
- 48.8% 1400 to 1599
- 47.6% 1600 to 1999
- 44.4% 2200+
- 48.9% 1000 to 1199
- 48.6% 1400 to 1599
- 47.7% 1600 to 1999
- 44.7% 2200+
- 49.1% 1000 to 1199
- 48.4% 1400 to 1599
- 47.4% 1600 to 1999
- 44.2% 2200+
- 46.9% 1000 to 1199
- 48.2% 1400 to 1599
- 47.8% 1600 to 1999
- 45.8% 2200+
- 45.5% 1000 to 1199
- 45.7% 1400 to 1599
- 44.5% 1600 to 1999
- 41.8% 2200+
Dashed line: half of all games (50.0%).
Show the numbers as a table
| Opening | 1000 to 1199 | 1400 to 1599 | 1600 to 1999 | 2200+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caro-Kann (plays Black) | 49.0% | 48.8% | 47.6% | 44.4% |
| French (plays Black) | 48.9% | 48.6% | 47.7% | 44.7% |
| Sicilian (plays Black) | 49.1% | 48.4% | 47.4% | 44.2% |
| Scandinavian (plays Black) | 46.9% | 48.2% | 47.8% | 45.8% |
| Slav (plays Black) | 45.5% | 45.7% | 44.5% | 41.8% |
Draws rise with rating, and the Ruy Lopez leads the way at 2200 and up
Share of games drawn, by band.
- 3.1% 1000 to 1199
- 3.9% 1600 to 1999
- 8.8% 2200+
- 3.5% 1000 to 1199
- 4.4% 1600 to 1999
- 22.6% 2200+
- 2.9% 1000 to 1199
- 4.2% 1600 to 1999
- 7.8% 2200+
- 3.3% 1000 to 1199
- 4.6% 1600 to 1999
- 6.4% 2200+
- 3.1% 1000 to 1199
- 4.2% 1600 to 1999
- 9.5% 2200+
- 2.9% 1000 to 1199
- 4.1% 1600 to 1999
- 6.4% 2200+
- 2.9% 1000 to 1199
- 3.9% 1600 to 1999
- 6.5% 2200+
- 2.7% 1000 to 1199
- 3.9% 1600 to 1999
- 7.0% 2200+
- 3.2% 1000 to 1199
- 3.8% 1600 to 1999
- 5.2% 2200+
- 3.0% 1000 to 1199
- 4.7% 1600 to 1999
- 7.4% 2200+
Show the numbers as a table
| Opening | 1000 to 1199 | 1600 to 1999 | 2200+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian Game (plays White) | 3.1% | 3.9% | 8.8% |
| Ruy Lopez (plays White) | 3.5% | 4.4% | 22.6% |
| Queen's Gambit (plays White) | 2.9% | 4.2% | 7.8% |
| London System (plays White) | 3.3% | 4.6% | 6.4% |
| Scotch Game (plays White) | 3.1% | 4.2% | 9.5% |
| Caro-Kann (plays Black) | 2.9% | 4.1% | 6.4% |
| French (plays Black) | 2.9% | 3.9% | 6.5% |
| Sicilian (plays Black) | 2.7% | 3.9% | 7.0% |
| Scandinavian (plays Black) | 3.2% | 3.8% | 5.2% |
| Slav (plays Black) | 3.0% | 4.7% | 7.4% |
Best chess openings for White
Five openings for White, from the quiet London System to the open Scotch Game. Each card shows the first moves, the idea, who it suits and how 1600 to 1999 players score with it.
Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
Quick development, the bishop aimed at f7, then the fight for d4.
Suits: Players who like an open game and quick development.
White 49.8%Draws 3.9%Black 46.3%839,438 games · engine +0.14 for White · Learn the Italian Game on a board
Ruy Lopez
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
The bishop pressures the knight that defends e5.
Suits: Players who like long pressure on the center and will learn its main plans.
White 50.9%Draws 4.4%Black 44.7%420,520 games · engine +0.18 for White · Learn the Ruy Lopez on a board
Queen's Gambit
1.d4 d5 2.c4
c4 attacks Black's d5 pawn from the side.
Suits: Players who like a space advantage and steady pressure on d5.
White 51.8%Draws 4.2%Black 44.0%1,165,562 games · engine +0.31 for White · Learn the Queen's Gambit on a board
London System
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4
Bishop to f4 before e3, then a compact, repeatable setup.
Suits: Players who want one setup they can repeat against almost any reply.
White 50.6%Draws 4.6%Black 44.8%562,786 games · engine +0.17 for White · Learn the London System on a board
Scotch Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
Hits e5 at once with d4 for early central contact.
Suits: Players who want an open center and early contact.
White 52.0%Draws 4.2%Black 43.8%458,715 games · engine +0.32 for White · Learn the Scotch Game on a board
Best chess openings for Black
Four defenses to 1.e4 and one to 1.d4 d5 2.c4. Black has to answer White's first move, so a Black repertoire needs one reply to each.
Caro-Kann Defense
1.e4 c6
Supports ...d5 with the c-pawn and keeps the light bishop free.
Suits: Players who want a solid setup that keeps the light bishop free.
White 48.3%Draws 4.1%Black 47.6%1,635,111 games · engine +0.25 for White · Learn the Caro-Kann Defense on a board
French Defense
1.e4 e6
...e6 and ...d5, then ...c5 against White's pawn chain.
Suits: Players who like a pawn chain and a counterattack on White's center.
White 48.3%Draws 3.9%Black 47.7%1,885,980 games · engine +0.35 for White · Learn the French Defense on a board
Sicilian Defense
1.e4 c5
Fights for d4 from the wing for an unbalanced game.
Suits: Players who want an unbalanced game and will learn its lines.
White 48.8%Draws 3.9%Black 47.4%3,158,607 games · engine +0.36 for White · Learn the Sicilian Defense on a board
Scandinavian Defense
1.e4 d5
Challenges e4 with ...d5. After 2.exd5, Black can recapture with 2...Qxd5 or develop with 2...Nf6.
Suits: Players who want to challenge e4 at once.
White 48.4%Draws 3.8%Black 47.8%1,967,994 games · engine +0.74 for White · Learn the Scandinavian Defense on a board
Slav Defense
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6
Supports d5 with ...c6 against the Queen's Gambit; the bishop stays free.
Suits: Players who want a sturdy answer to 1.d4 d5 2.c4.
White 50.8%Draws 4.7%Black 44.5%240,339 games · engine +0.41 for White · Learn the Slav Defense on a board
Which opening suits you
Start with the side you want, then the feel of game you enjoy, then how much time you will spend learning. The feel and time columns are Chessvia's judgment, not a measured result.
| Opening | Feel | Time to learn | Pick it if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian GameWhite | Open, classical | Low | You like quick development and attacking f7. |
| Ruy LopezWhite | Strategic, rich | High | You will study plans for years and want a classic. |
| Queen's GambitWhite | Strategic, space | Medium | You like pressure on d5 and a slow squeeze. |
| London SystemWhite | Quiet, closed | Low | You want one setup against almost every reply. |
| Scotch GameWhite | Open, direct | Medium | You want the center opened on move three. |
| Caro-Kann DefenseBlack | Solid, quiet | Medium | You want a sturdy reply to 1.e4 without early tactics. |
| French DefenseBlack | Closed, counterattack | Medium | You like a pawn chain and striking back at the center. |
| Sicilian DefenseBlack | Sharp, unbalanced | High | You play for a win as Black and will learn many lines. |
| Scandinavian DefenseBlack | Direct, simple | Low | You want to challenge e4 at once and keep the theory short. |
| Slav DefenseBlack | Solid, closed | Medium | You want a sturdy answer to 1.d4 d5 2.c4. |
- Italian Game: You like quick development and attacking f7.
- Ruy Lopez: You will study plans for years and want a classic.
- Queen's Gambit: You like pressure on d5 and a slow squeeze.
- London System: You want one setup against almost every reply.
- Scotch Game: You want the center opened on move three.
- Caro-Kann Defense: You want a sturdy reply to 1.e4 without early tactics.
- French Defense: You like a pawn chain and striking back at the center.
- Sicilian Defense: You play for a win as Black and will learn many lines.
- Scandinavian Defense: You want to challenge e4 at once and keep the theory short.
- Slav Defense: You want a sturdy answer to 1.d4 d5 2.c4.
Best chess openings for beginners
For a first repertoire, our picks are the London System as White, the Caro-Kann against 1.e4, and the Slav after 1.d4 d5 2.c4. If you prefer open positions, try the Italian after 1.e4 e5. The chess openings for beginners guide has a starter kit for each color with boards. Learn each opening's development, central pawn break and castling plan before memorizing longer lines.
As White
Bishop to f4 before e3, then a compact, repeatable setup.
White wins 50.6% of 562,786 games at 1600 to 1999.
Play its first movesAs Black against 1.e4
Supports ...d5 with the c-pawn and keeps the light bishop free.
Black wins 47.6% of 1,635,111 games at 1600 to 1999.
Play its first movesAs Black against 1.d4 d5 2.c4
Supports d5 with ...c6 against the Queen's Gambit; the bishop stays free.
Black wins 44.5% of 240,339 games at 1600 to 1999.
Play its first moves
Most successful chess openings at club level
Among White openings, the Scotch Game scores best at 1600 to 1999 (52.0% White wins) and the Italian Game lowest (49.8%). Among Black's defenses to 1.e4, the Scandinavian Defense scores best (47.8% Black wins) and the Sicilian Defense lowest (47.4%). The gaps are small, and Black's numbers sit below White's because White moves first, so compare White openings with White openings.
White openings, by White wins
- 1.Scotch Game52.0%
- 2.Queen's Gambit51.8%
- 3.Ruy Lopez50.9%
- 4.London System50.6%
- 5.Italian Game49.8%
Black defenses to 1.e4, by Black wins
- 1.Scandinavian Defense47.8%
- 2.French Defense47.7%
- 3.Caro-Kann Defense47.6%
- 4.Sicilian Defense47.4%
Most played of these ten openings
The most played of these ten is the Sicilian Defense with 3,158,607 games, then the Scandinavian Defense (1,967,994) and the French Defense (1,885,980). Counts are games that reached the opening's position through the move orders tracked here, so they leave out some transpositions.
- 1.Sicilian Defense3,158,607 games
- 2.Scandinavian Defense1,967,994 games
- 3.French Defense1,885,980 games
- 4.Caro-Kann Defense1,635,111 games
- 5.Queen's Gambit1,165,562 games
- 6.Italian Game839,438 games
Popularity and first moves by rating
The share of games reaching each opening, and how often White starts with each first move.
How many games reach each opening, by rating band
Share of all games in the band that reached the opening's position.
- 5.57% 1000 to 1199
- 2.92% 1600 to 1999
- 1.18% 2200+
- 2.19% 1000 to 1199
- 1.46% 1600 to 1999
- 1.50% 2200+
- 3.02% 1000 to 1199
- 4.05% 1600 to 1999
- 3.02% 2200+
- 3.25% 1000 to 1199
- 1.96% 1600 to 1999
- 0.61% 2200+
- 2.42% 1000 to 1199
- 1.59% 1600 to 1999
- 0.63% 2200+
- 4.58% 1000 to 1199
- 5.68% 1600 to 1999
- 5.42% 2200+
- 4.80% 1000 to 1199
- 6.56% 1600 to 1999
- 5.70% 2200+
- 5.24% 1000 to 1199
- 10.98% 1600 to 1999
- 12.30% 2200+
- 7.89% 1000 to 1199
- 6.84% 1600 to 1999
- 4.05% 2200+
- 0.36% 1000 to 1199
- 0.84% 1600 to 1999
- 0.89% 2200+
Show the numbers as a table
| Opening | 1000 to 1199 | 1600 to 1999 | 2200+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian Game (plays White) | 5.57% | 2.92% | 1.18% |
| Ruy Lopez (plays White) | 2.19% | 1.46% | 1.50% |
| Queen's Gambit (plays White) | 3.02% | 4.05% | 3.02% |
| London System (plays White) | 3.25% | 1.96% | 0.61% |
| Scotch Game (plays White) | 2.42% | 1.59% | 0.63% |
| Caro-Kann (plays Black) | 4.58% | 5.68% | 5.42% |
| French (plays Black) | 4.80% | 6.56% | 5.70% |
| Sicilian (plays Black) | 5.24% | 10.98% | 12.30% |
| Scandinavian (plays Black) | 7.89% | 6.84% | 4.05% |
| Slav (plays Black) | 0.36% | 0.84% | 0.89% |
1.e4 falls from 64.8% of games at 1000 to 1199 to 43.4% at 2200 and up
How often White's first move is e4, d4, Nf3 or c4.
- 64.8% 1000 to 1199
- 58.8% 1600 to 1799
- 43.4% 2200 and up
- 23.1% 1000 to 1199
- 26.1% 1600 to 1799
- 29.0% 2200 and up
- 2.5% 1000 to 1199
- 2.8% 1600 to 1799
- 9.1% 2200 and up
- 1.6% 1000 to 1199
- 3.1% 1600 to 1799
- 5.0% 2200 and up
Show the numbers as a table
| First move | 1000 to 1199 | 1600 to 1799 | 2200 and up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.e4 | 64.8% | 58.8% | 43.4% |
| 1.d4 | 23.1% | 26.1% | 29.0% |
| 1.Nf3 | 2.5% | 2.8% | 9.1% |
| 1.c4 | 1.6% | 3.1% | 5.0% |
1.e4 scores 51.4% for White, below 1.d4, 1.Nf3 and 1.c4
White's score (win = 1, draw = half) by first move, all ratings. It is an association: different players choose different first moves.
- 51.4%
- 52.4%
- 53.1%
- 52.9%
- 50.1%
- 52.2%
- 52.2%
- 51.7%
Dashed line: an even score (50.0%).
Show the numbers as a table
| First move | White score | Games |
|---|---|---|
| 1.e4 | 51.4% | 51,614,746 |
| 1.d4 | 52.4% | 22,929,602 |
| 1.Nf3 | 53.1% | 3,212,418 |
| 1.c4 | 52.9% | 2,748,497 |
| 1.e3 | 50.1% | 1,873,556 |
| 1.g3 | 52.2% | 1,519,339 |
| 1.b3 | 52.2% | 1,477,841 |
| 1.f4 | 51.7% | 1,004,033 |
What strong players say about picking an opening
“Best by test.”
“Too calm to give White advantage.”
Both verdicts are about the very top of the game, and club results differ. Fischer backed 1.e4, yet in this month's Lichess games it scored 51.4% for White, the lowest of the four most played first moves (1.d4 52.4%, 1.c4 52.9%, 1.Nf3 53.1%); the players who choose each move differ, so read that as an association. Keres thought the Italian too calm; at 1600 to 1999 White wins 49.8% of Italian Game games to Black's 46.3%, so below master level it is no quiet choice. Wikipedia calls Magnus Carlsen “a universal player”, a reminder that top players change openings by opponent, not by loyalty.
A model game: Morphy's Opera Game
Paul Morphy played it against the Duke of Brunswick and Count Isouard at the Paris opera in 1858 (Wikipedia, Opera Game). It is a short game that shows why opening principles matter: develop pieces fast, fight for the center and castle before attacking. The game is 160+ years old, so the moves are in the public domain.
Moves: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Bg4 4.dxe5 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 dxe5 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.Qb3 Qe7 8.Nc3 c6 9.Bg5 b5 10.Nxb5 cxb5 11.Bxb5+ Nbd7 12.O-O-O Rd8 13.Rxd7 Rxd7 14.Rd1 Qe6 15.Bxd7+ Nxd7 16.Qb8+ Nxb8 17.Rd8#
3...Bg4
Black pins the knight on f3 to the queen on d1. The pin costs a move and does not help Black develop the rest.
6.Bc4
White has a bishop and queen aimed at f7 while Black has no knight or bishop developed. The idea is the same one the Italian Game uses.
10.Nxb5
White gives a knight to open the b-file and a line to the king. Black takes and the bishop checks on b5.
12.O-O-O
Castling queenside puts a rook on the open d-file at once.
17.Rd8#
The queen sacrifice 16.Qb8+ forces the knight to b8, and 17.Rd8 is checkmate. Black's king never left e8.
Questions players ask
What is the best chess opening?
No single opening is best. At 1600 to 1999 on Lichess, White wins 49.8% to 52.0% of games across the five White openings on this page, with the Scotch Game highest at 52.0%. The opening you understand beats the one with the best number.
What are the 10 best openings in chess?
For White: Italian Game (839,438 games), Ruy Lopez (420,520 games), Queen's Gambit (1,165,562 games), London System (562,786 games), Scotch Game (458,715 games). For Black: Caro-Kann Defense (1,635,111 games), French Defense (1,885,980 games), Sicilian Defense (3,158,607 games), Scandinavian Defense (1,967,994 games), Slav Defense (240,339 games). Game counts are Lichess games at 1600 to 1999 in September 2026; the side-by-side table above gives each one's White, draw and Black results.
What is the most popular opening in chess?
1.e4 is the most played first move. It began 57.7% of 89,396,008 Lichess games in September 2026, ahead of 1.d4 at 25.6%. Among the ten openings here, the Sicilian Defense reached the most games at 1600 to 1999.
What is the best chess opening for beginners?
Pick one you can play from memory for the first ten moves. Our starter picks are the London System as White, the Caro-Kann against 1.e4 and the Slav Defense against 1.d4 d5 2.c4. At 1000 to 1199 on Lichess the London System wins 52.6% of 182,913 games as White, the Caro-Kann 49.0% of 257,958 as Black, and the Slav 45.5% of 20,000 as Black (September 2026). Win rate is not ease of learning; the chooser table above rates the time each one takes. Chess openings for beginners: a starter kit with boards.
What is the best chess opening for Black?
Against 1.e4, the Scandinavian, French, Caro-Kann, Sicilian win 47.4% to 47.8% of games for Black at 1600 to 1999. Against 1.d4 d5 2.c4, the Slav Defense wins 44.5%. Pick one defense to each first move and learn it first.
Which chess opening has the highest win rate for Black?
At 1600 to 1999 the Scandinavian Defense has the highest Black win rate of the five defenses here at 47.8% (1,967,994 games, September 2026). The gaps between the defenses are small, and Black wins less than White in nearly every opening because White moves first.
What are the best chess openings for White that are aggressive?
Open openings that make contact early are the Scotch Game and the Italian Game. At 1600 to 1999 the Italian Game drew only 3.9% of its games, the fewest of the five White openings here. Draws are a measure of sharpness, not a guarantee of an attack.
Which chess opening is hardest to beat?
At 1600 to 1999, the opponent wins least often against the Scotch Game (43.8% of 458,715 games). At 2200 and up it is the Ruy Lopez (36.0%). Hard to beat is not the same as winning: ask how often you win with it.
Is the Queen's Gambit good?
Yes. White wins 51.8% of 1,165,562 Lichess games at 1600 to 1999 in the Queen's Gambit position (September 2026), and it was played in all but 2 of 34 games of the 1927 World Championship match. Source: Queen's Gambit, Wikipedia
Why is it called the Queen's Gambit?
White appears to sacrifice the c-pawn on the queen's side, so it carries the name gambit. Usually White can win the pawn back, though Black can develop freely in the meantime. Source: Queen's Gambit, Wikipedia
What does the word "gambit" mean?
A gambit is an opening in which a player gives up material, usually a pawn, to win a lasting positional edge. The Rousseau Gambit, Queen's Gambit and Evans Gambit are examples. Source: Gambit, Wikipedia
What is the French Defense in chess?
The French Defense starts 1.e4 e6. Black builds a pawn chain and counterattacks White's center. At 1600 to 1999, Black wins 47.7% of 1,885,980 games with it (September 2026).
What is the Rousseau Gambit?
The Rousseau Gambit is Black's rare 3...f5 in the Italian Game: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 f5. At 1600 to 1999 it appeared in 34,602 games, and Black won 51.2% to White's 45.7% (September 2026).
Which openings does Magnus Carlsen play?
Wikipedia describes Carlsen as "a universal player", which fits a player who does not stay with one opening. This page counts openings in games rated 1000 to 2200 and up, so it cannot say what he plays today. Source: Magnus Carlsen, Wikipedia