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How to use the repertoire guide
Identify your colour
Start with the White or Black repertoire; do not try to consult the whole guide during a game.
Match the first move
Use the variation that matches the opponent’s reply and apply its idea rather than searching for an exact diagram.
Check the trap warnings
If the position matches a warning, answer the threat first and return to normal development.
When outside preparation
When the game leaves the prepared line, develop a piece, contest the centre, secure the king and reassess.
Playing White
Your first six opening priorities
Visual chess lesson
Italian Game: developed and castled
Which opening goals have both sides already achieved?
Reveal the explanation
Both sides have developed pieces towards the centre and castled. White’s bishop on c4 points at f7; the next task is to complete development and prepare the central break.
r1bq1rk1/ppp2ppp/2np1n2/2b1p3/2B1P3/2PP1N2/PP3PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w - - 2 7 ↗Play 1.e4
Occupy the centre and open lines for the queen and king’s bishop.
Develop Nf3
Attack the e5 square and move a minor piece towards the centre.
Place the bishop actively
Use Bc4 against open games or another purposeful square if the structure demands it.
Castle kingside
Secure the king before undertaking an attack or repeated queen move.
Support the centre
Use d3 or the appropriate central break according to Black’s setup.
Complete development
Develop the remaining pieces, connect the rooks and place a rook behind the intended central pawn break.
White’s common replies
Adapt the repertoire line, keep the purpose
Classical line
Use Nf3 and Bc4, castle and challenge the centre. If Black copies passively, take more space; if Black attacks, finish development first.
Simple Anti-Sicilian setup
Develop Nf3, Bc4 and d3 when appropriate, castle early and aim for a familiar middlegame.
Standard development
Use sound development, central control and king safety. An unusual first move is not, by itself, a threat.
Playing Black
Two stable structures
Visual chess lesson
King’s Indian setup
Identify Black’s completed setup before choosing the central pawn break.
Reveal the explanation
Black has developed the king’s knight, fianchettoed the bishop and castled. The next decision is whether to challenge White’s centre with ...e5 or ...c5.
rnbq1rk1/ppp1ppbp/3p1np1/8/2PPP3/2N2N2/PP3PPP/R1BQKB1R w KQ - 2 6 ↗Challenge the centre
Use a sound central reply, develop the king’s knight, bring the other minor pieces out and castle before beginning queenside play.
Establish the pawn structure
Establish the central pawn structure, develop naturally and decide whether to challenge with ...c5 or ...e5 after White reveals the setup.
Do not drift
Develop with purpose, contest the centre and question the comfortable formation before it becomes automatic.
Four trap warnings
Stop the trap, then resume the plan
Visual chess lesson
Scholar’s Mate defence
Black to move. What are White’s queen and bishop threatening?
Reveal the explanation
White threatens Qxf7#. Black must defend f7 while developing. The continuation 3...g6 4.Qf3 Nf6 meets the immediate threat and develops a defender.
Verified line: g6 Qf3 Nf6
r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/4p2Q/2B1P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNB1K1NR b KQkq - 3 3 ↗Visual chess lesson
Fried Liver Attack
After the inaccurate 5...Nxd5?, White can exploit the exposed king. Find the forcing move.
Reveal the explanation
6.Nxf7 forks the queen on d8 and rook on h8. After 6...Kxf7, 7.Qf3+ continues the forcing attack against Black's exposed king.
Verified line: Nxf7 Kxf7 Qf3+
r1bqkb1r/ppp2ppp/2n5/3np1N1/2B5/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 0 6 ↗Visual chess lesson
Recognising a trap
White’s knight appears pinned to the queen. Why can 6.Nxe5! still be considered?
Reveal the explanation
The tactical point is 6.Nxe5 Bxd1 7.Bxf7+ Ke7 8.Nd5#. White allows the queen to be captured because the mating attack is worth more.
Verified line: Nxe5 Bxd1 Bxf7+ Ke7 Nd5#
r2qkbnr/ppp2ppp/2np4/4p2b/2B1P3/2N2N1P/PPPP1PP1/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 1 6 ↗Scholar’s Mate
Defend f7 or f2 and attack the early queen with a developing move. Never weaken the king further just to chase.
Fried Liver Attack
Meet the attack on f7 with the correct central break and avoid the inaccurate ...Nxd5 recapture that exposes the king.
Premature queen development
Cover the genuine target, then gain tempi by developing pieces against the queen.
Wayward Queen Attack (Parham Attack)
Develop calmly, castle and gain tempi against the queen only when the attacking move also improves a piece.
Outside preparation: develop, contest the centre, secure the king and identify what changed. The position—not the page—has the final word.