Chess Openings: The Diagrams

by

Edwin L. Schoen (C) 1998

Purpose and Assumptions

The accompanying diagrams and index are intended to provide a much needed assistance to those chess players, experts and novices alike, who, for one reason or another, do not know the specific moves involved in all the standard chess openings as well as they would like . We assume the reader does know how to play Chess, and further that he knows how to read the traditional method of notating a chess game by use of mnemonic abbreviations (P-K4, N-KB3 etc.). However, while We prefer not to waste time with Algebraic notation which is terribly non-visual, we realize that it is the preferred notation of our day and many young players have requested it. Therefore you will find both notational formats on the accompanying diagrams. Traditional is in bold face while Algebraic is in normal font style. Our task then, to accomplish our purpose, is to explain how to interpret and use these original diagrams of mine. The diagrams will, at a minimum, allow you to easily figure out what openings you play.

Rationale for the Diagrams

Many players are quite content to follow their instincts after the initial P-K4 or P-Q4. Some sharpen this instinctive play by adherence to the principles of good chess development; they are confident of their ability to improvise a winning game plan. Forced, however, to invent each successive move, because of a lack of knowledge of the standard Openings, they consider their game play to be spontaneous and therefore original. Such games, with sound development, may lead into recognizable strong, or at least safe, openings but they are just as likely to lead into well-known traps and pitfalls. The information in the accompanying charts will not, of itself, make you a better player; it will allow you to know the names of the openings you play. That knowledge will then enable you to chart your course through the many fine textbooks that define and explain the moves and logic involved in standard chess openings. Knowing the names of these openings will then equip you to selectively study specific openings for which you may have a preference. Thereafter you will know where your opening play is likely to lead and what possibilities lie there.

Diagram Pages

There are 4 pages of diagrams labeled K, Q, M, and X respectively. The first two, pages K and Q, diagram standard openings which begin with Pawn (P) to the King's(K) 4th row (P-K4) or Pawn to the Queen's(Q) 4th row (P-Q4). These are sometimes referred to as Open (P-K4) and Closed (P-Q4) games respectively. The 3rd page, page M, diagrams the so-called Modern openings which seek to avoid Pawn to the King's or Queen's 4th row initially. Finally, page X diagrams the common continuations of several of the most popular openings. A few of such extensions, or variations, have acquired their own names.

Defining the Defining Move - Page X Continuations

Let us follow a line down Page K until we come to the name "Danish Gambit". This name is found on the left side about half way down the page. Beneath the name is its "Defining" move: P-QB3. This move is the last in a sequence of moves which defines the opening called the Danish Gambit. The moves that occur after a "Defining" move, constitute what is commonly referred to as the Middle Game of Chess. We are not concerned here with that part of the game. However, some openings do have continuations after the Defining move, which are made so frequently that for all practical purposes they become part of the standard opening. When such is the case, when the Defining move of a standard opening is followed by a very predictable sequence of moves, a rectangle has been drawn around the Defining move. This rectangle indicates that the opening has standard continuations (or variations) which are found on page X, the eXtra moves page.

Rows, Columns, and Abbreviations

Referring back to our example of the Danish Gambit, it should be noted that beneath its circumscribed rectangle is the number 2. This number tells us that we are in column 2. Rows of the diagram are indicated down the left side of the page as 10, 11, 20, 21 and so forth. The rows containing White moves are multiples of ten while Black's responses are in rows numbered one greater than those of White. The Defining move of the Danish Gambit is in column 2 (on Page K), row 30. We know this Defining move is made by White because 30, the row number, is a multiple of 10. Referring to the Index, which follows the diagrams, we see that to the right of the words, "Danish Gambit," is the abbreviation K- 30.2, meaning that this particular opening is defined on page K, row 30, column 2. Let us take another example: Page K, row 21 (Black's second move), column 2. Here we find the name "King's Gambit Accepted." Looking in the index now at the line containing the name þKing's Gambit Accepted,þ we see that to its right is the abbreviation for the location of its Defining move: þK-21.2þ. Sometimes the word "ANY" is written on the diagrams and it means exactly that: ANY valid move may be executed without destroying the path of the Opening. An example of the use of "ANY" can be found on page Q-30.1.

Page X Continuations

Now proceeding to page X, we can readily find the standard continuation of the Danish Gambit: its name is within a rectangle. Beneath this rectangle we find the same move as on page K: P-QB3. The name, as well as the Defining Move, is repeated here! This provides a link between the two pages. The page X continuation is located in the same row (30) as was the original defining move on page K. However, it is now in column 7 for the purpose of visual alignment. Thus the last move on page K and the repetition on page X refer to the same Defining move. The Danish Gambit continuation on page X has 2 branches. Both are standard variations of the Danish Gambit. The left one leads to the more traditional Danish Gambit continuation, in which Pawn takes Pawn (PxP), while the right branch defines a variation called the "Center Gambit," with Pawn to the Queen's 4th row (P-Q4).

Diagram Uses

Primary Use: A Name
Now that we know how to use the diagrams let us proceed to see when to use them. Their main usefulness occurs when we do not know the specific name of an Opening. Previously, the only way for one to determine the name of an opening was to search through lengthy text books of Chess Openings, looking for a specific sequence of moves. Now one can determine the name of the opening by simply following the sequence of notated moves along the lines of our diagrams on pages K, Q, M and X. Let us take a specific example of the main use of the diagrams. Here are the first two moves of a typical opening: 1. P-K4 P-K4 2. N-KB3 N-KB3 What opening is this? Before the creation of my unique diagrams, you would have had no way to answer this question without searching through many chess books about the Openings. Now, we simply follow the diagram-path of these moves on page K, since the game begins with a Pawn moved forward in the King's row: P-K4. Then, after the second Knight move, in the above example (...N-KB3), we would arrive at the Defining move of Petroff's Defense (page K-21.10). Thus with no bulky books, no page-leafing, and no eye-straining text perusal, we are immediately armed with the name of the opening. We could then, at our leisure, turn to any of those bulky but informative and fine books about Openings, and learn what the experts have to say about the game we just won - or lost!

Secondary Use: A Menu

Each chart can also be used as a kind of menu, from which we may choose openings that appeal to our sense of enjoyment. Some of us enjoy a game in which the Knights leap around early while others prefer solid pawn moves at the start of a game. We can determine not only the names of the openings, but also what related alternatives exist in the standard palette of Openings. This expands our repertoire along recognizable lines and beyond those which we have previously played by instinct. All this is achieved with no more difficulty than following a road map.

Third Use: A Sequence

The Index following the diagrams enables yet another use: it allows the player, who knows the name of an opening, to quickly find the sequence of moves that are involved. This is the reverse of the main use for the diagrams though it can be achieved just as easily by use of any Opening-play textbook. However since I do provide and index here, there is no need to refer to, or to carry any pithy and pendulumy textbooks with us. When someone states, for example, that he played the Giuoco Piano opening, we can now find that opening listed in our index. The name is followed by K-40.1, indicating that the defining move of this opening is on page K, Row 40, Column 1. We know, from what has already been explained, that the Defining move here is made by White (the row is a multiple of 10) and we know that the first move was P-K4 (because page K is indicated). Looking at Page K we would go down the far left column of numbers until we came to row 40. Then we would go across that row until we came to the first entry, column 1, which is labeled Giuoco Piano. The defining move here, made by White, is P-B3. Following the diagram lines upward this time we could find all the previous moves leading to this opening. Notating these moves in their proper order, from first to last, we can reconstruct the Giuoco Piano Opening as follows: P-K4 P-K4 N-KB3 N-QB3 B-B4 B-B4 P-B3

Variations of Major Openings:

Names Beneath the Horizontal Line:
The moves which have several named continuations are underlined. Thus on Page Q ...N-KB3 and ...P-Q4 have named continuations. When a name is written beneath this underline, it means that all the following moves are really variations of that one named opening. Thus on page Q we find that, at row 21, column 8, the "Queens Gambit Declined" is written beneath the Underline; this is a very popular defense. It is so popular that it has spawned several named continuations. All of these may still be grouped under the name Queen's Gambit Declined, but the commonness of their usage has made them more than just continuations or variations; they are, indeed, openings in their own right. For example, following the Queen's Gambit Declined diagram, on page Q-21.8, we find such named openings as the Lasker Defense, the Prague Defense, the Catalan System and several others.

Transpositions:

The Catalan System is an interesting opening since it can be achieved by several paths. Specifically, the Indian Defense (see Q-11.2) and the Queen's Gambit Declined (Q-21.8) can lead to the same position at the beginning of move 4. They can thus þtransposeþ into the opening which is known as the Catalan System. The individual moves are juxtaposed, but after 3 moves we find ourselves with identical positions for the pieces. This shows graphically what is known as a Transposition of an opening. If we followed the Indian Defense branch, we might expect it to terminate in the Queen's Indian Defense (3...P-QN3). We could however, change into the Catalan System (3...P-Q4) right after White's third move. This ability to transpose one opening into another is important to recognize since it permits us to surprise an opponent. Obviously the Catalan is not the only opening which can be achieved by different paths or transpositions. Another example can be found by comparing the King's Gambit (K-20.2) and From's Gambit (M-11.6). The latter, may be transposed into the former if White makes P- K4 his 2nd move. This may seem confusing but as long as we can map our way through the diagrams to at least one of the named openings, then we have succeeded and we will know where to search for more information, as well as alternate names, transpositions, variations, continuations, and so forth.

Find-A-Move:

Summary and Suggestions:

In summary we have described each diagram, its abbreviations, the Defining moves, the indices, the rectangles signifying continuation, major branch names (beneath horizontal lines) and transpositions. These items will facilitate access to the literature concerning chess openings, for those not well versed in such matters. Opinions have been avoided here since these are more properly the province of the great Chess Masters. However I believe you will agree that my original diagrams are not only common-sensible, but long overdue for the chess community at large. These diagrams should be attached to, and easily detatched from, every chess textbook. It is suggested that, for purposes of personal study, a sketch of the chess board be made for the positions of the pieces, as they stand after each Defining move. It is also suggested that one gather a group of notated games relative to each opening. Such games should be chosen from among those with which the reader is most familiar or most impressed. There are many other tantalizing possibilities for expanding upon the potential of these diagrams. It is hoped that the reader has been encouraged to learn more about Chess Openings, and that the possibilities thus defined may lead to his greater understanding and enjoyment of the wonderful game of chess. Check!

Comments & Suggestions[Animated Letter Face]
Best Wishes

Edwin L. Schoen

LINKS:
King's Pawn Openings Chart
King's Pawn Extended Openings Chart
Queen's Pawn Openings Chart
Modern Openings Chart
Index of Openings
Text Outline of Openings
Other Pages:
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Computers & Moonlight Music
Club Dance Regulars

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