♟️Chess

Current Rating + Goals

I am currently around 1400 elo (online) in blitz (5 min max). My goal for the year is to

1. Gain an actual FIDE ranking. What this means is competing in OTB chess games / tournaments. The Seattle Chess Club hosts / visits tournaments throughout the year, so I will probably start there.

2. Reach 1750 online ELO

3. Read at least 1 chess book

My favorite white opening is the Scotch. The Scotch Opening, also known as the Scotch Game, is a chess opening played by Black in response to White's 1. e4. Black moves their king pawn to e5, attacking White's e4 pawn and preparing to castle. This opening can lead to a number of different variations and strategies for both sides. The Scotch opening is not considered as a very aggressive opening but it is solid, and it's often used to play for a draw. It is considered as a good choice for players who like to play for a solid and safe position.

As for why it's my favorite opening, I enjoy the solid and safe position it provides, while also appreciating the versatility and number of different variations it offers.

My favorite black opening is the Caro-Kann, as most folks (in my elo) don't know how to play against it. I also am starting to play more of the King's Indian.

Below are my notes on very common openings for white and black defenses / counter openings.

White e4 Openings

Name	Line	Summary
Ruy Lopez		The Ruy Lopez is a popular white opening that involves moving the pawn from e2 to e4, followed by advancing the d pawn to d4 and bringing the knight out to f3. This opening aims to create a strong central pawn chain and control of the d5 square.
Italian Game		The Italian Game involves moving the pawn from e2 to e4, followed by advancing the d pawn to d3 and bringing the knight out to c3. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic attack, with options for launching a kingside or queenside attack.
Sicilian Defense		The Sicilian Defense involves moving the pawn from e2 to e4, followed by advancing the c pawn to c3 and bringing the knight out to f3. This opening aims to create a solid defense and control of the d4 square, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.
French Defense		The French Defense involves moving the pawn from e2 to e4, followed by advancing the d pawn to d4 and bringing the knight out to f3. This opening aims to create a strong central pawn chain and control of the d5 square.
English Opening		The English Opening involves moving the pawn from e2 to c4, followed by advancing the d pawn to d4 and bringing the knight out to f3. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic attack, with options for launching a kingside or queenside attack.
King's Pawn Game		The King's Pawn Game involves moving the pawn from e2 to e4, followed by advancing the d pawn to d4 and bringing the knight out to f3. This opening aims to create a strong central pawn chain and control of the d5 square.
Queen's Pawn Game		The Queen's Pawn Game involves moving the pawn from d2 to d4, followed by advancing the c pawn to c4 and bringing the knight out to f3. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic attack, with options for launching a kingside or queenside attack.
Alekhine Defense		The Alekhine Defense involves moving the pawn from e2 to e4, followed by advancing the d pawn to d3 and bringing the knight out to f3. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic attack, with options for launching a kingside or queenside attack.
Reti Opening		The Reti Opening involves moving the pawn from c2 to c4, followed by advancing the d pawn to d3 and bringing the knight out to f3. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic attack, with options for launching a kingside or queenside attack.
King's Indian Defense		The King's Indian Defense involves moving the pawn from e2 to e4, followed by advancing the d pawn to d3 and bringing the knight out to f3. This opening aims to create a solid defense and control of the d4 square, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.
Scotch Game		The Scotch Game is a white opening that involves moving the pawn from e2 to e4, followed by advancing the d pawn to d4 and bringing the knight out to f3. This opening is named after the Scotch Gambit, a variation that involves sacrificing a pawn in order to gain control of the d5 square and launch an attack on black's kingside. This opening aims to create a strong central pawn chain and control of the d5 square, with options for launching a kingside or queenside attack.

Black vs. e4

1. The Sicilian Defense is a popular black opening that involves moving the pawn from e7 to e5 and bringing the bishop out to c5. This aggressive move allows for quick development of the queenside and pressure on white's e4 pawn.

2. The French Defense involves moving the pawn from e7 to e6, followed by advancing the d pawn to d5 and bringing the queen out to d8. This opening aims to create a strong central pawn chain and control of the d5 square.

3. The Caro-Kann Defense involves moving the pawn from e7 to e6, followed by advancing the d pawn to d5 and bringing the knight out to f6. This opening aims to create a solid defense and control of the d5 square.

4. The Pirc Defense involves moving the pawn from e7 to d6, followed by advancing the c pawn to c5 and bringing the knight out to f6. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic defense, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

5. The Modern Defense involves moving the pawn from e7 to g6, followed by advancing the d pawn to d5 and bringing the knight out to f6. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic defense, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

6. The Alekhine Defense involves moving the pawn from e7 to e5, followed by advancing the d pawn to d5 and bringing the knight out to c6. This aggressive opening aims to create a strong central pawn chain and control of the d5 square.

7. The Scandinavian Defense involves moving the pawn from e7 to d5, followed by advancing the c pawn to c6 and bringing the knight out to f6. This opening aims to create a solid defense and control of the d5 square, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

8. The King's Indian Defense involves moving the pawn from e7 to e5, followed by advancing the d pawn to d6 and bringing the knight out to g6. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic defense, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

9. The Grunfeld Defense involves moving the pawn from d7 to d5, followed by advancing the c pawn to c6 and bringing the knight out to g6. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic defense, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

10. The Nimzo-Indian Defense involves moving the pawn from e7 to e6, followed by advancing the d pawn to d5 and bringing the knight out to c6. This opening aims to create a strong central pawn chain and control of the d5 square, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

Black vs. d4

1. The Queen's Gambit Declined is a popular black opening that involves moving the pawn from d7 to d5, followed by advancing the c pawn to c6 and bringing the bishop out to c5. This opening aims to create a strong central pawn chain and control of the d5 square.

2. The Slav Defense involves moving the pawn from d7 to d5, followed by advancing the c pawn to c6 and bringing the knight out to f6. This opening aims to create a solid defense and control of the d5 square, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

3. The Grunfeld Defense involves moving the pawn from d7 to d5, followed by advancing the c pawn to c6 and bringing the knight out to g6. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic defense, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

4. The King's Indian Defense involves moving the pawn from d7 to d6, followed by advancing the c pawn to c5 and bringing the knight out to g6. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic defense, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

5. The Nimzo-Indian Defense involves moving the pawn from d7 to d6, followed by advancing the c pawn to c5 and bringing the knight out to e3. This opening aims to create a strong central pawn chain and control of the d5 square, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

6. The Modern Defense involves moving the pawn from d7 to g6, followed by advancing the c pawn to c6 and bringing the knight out to f6. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic defense, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

7. The Alekhine Defense involves moving the pawn from d7 to e5, followed by advancing the c pawn to c6 and bringing the knight out to c5. This aggressive opening aims to create a strong central pawn chain and control of the d5 square.

8. The Caro-Kann Defense involves moving the pawn from d7 to e6, followed by advancing the c pawn to c5 and bringing the knight out to f6. This opening aims to create a solid defense and control of the d5 square.

9. The Scandinavian Defense involves moving the pawn from d7 to d5, followed by advancing the c pawn to c6 and bringing the knight out to f3. This opening aims to create a solid defense and control of the d5 square, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.

10. The Pirc Defense involves moving the pawn from d7 to e6, followed by advancing the c pawn to c5 and bringing the knight out to f6. This opening aims to create a flexible and dynamic defense, with options for counterattacking on the queenside or kingside.