Chess Openings I Keep Returning To
Not the strongest ones. The ones that suit how I actually think at eleven at night.
Opening choice at the level most of us play at has almost nothing to do with objective evaluation and almost everything to do with which kinds of position you enjoy being confused in.
This list is ordered by how often I actually reach for each one, not by how good they are. The gap between those two orderings is the interesting part, and it is mostly explained by how much energy I have. The London System is at the top because it is the opening I can play badly and still enjoy.
- 01
The London System
Indefensible as an ambition, excellent as a habit. It asks almost nothing of your memory and lets you spend the whole game thinking about the position in front of you rather than the one in a book.
- 02
The Caro-Kann
Solid to the point of being accused of cowardice. I like that it punishes impatience, which is the mistake I am most likely to be on the receiving end of.
- 03
The King's Indian Defence
The opposite of the Caro-Kann and played on the opposite kind of evening. You give up the centre on purpose and spend twenty moves justifying it.
- 04
The Catalan
The most beautiful structure I do not understand well enough to play properly. Included honestly rather than aspirationally.
- 05
The Scotch
For when I want the game to be over in thirty moves regardless of who wins.