The 5 Best Chess Openings for Beginners

Beginners are told to "learn openings," then handed 20 moves of grandmaster theory that fall apart the moment the opponent plays something unexpected. You don't need that. You need a few sound openings that develop your pieces, control the center, and keep your king safe — habits that win games long before theory does.

Here are five that do exactly that.

1. The Italian Game (White)

One of the oldest openings in chess, and still one of the best for learning. After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 you've developed two pieces, attacked the center, and aimed your bishop straight at Black's weakest square, f7. It teaches every classical principle at once. Study the Italian Game →

2. The Ruy Lopez (White)

The Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5) is what stronger players graduate to. It pressures Black's knight and fights for the center with deep positional ideas. A bit more to learn, but it pays off for the rest of your chess life. Study the Ruy Lopez →

3. The Scandinavian Defense (Black vs 1.e4)

Tired of memorizing Sicilian theory? The Scandinavian (1.e4 d5) hits the center immediately and leads to clear, easy-to-understand positions. It's one of the most practical answers to 1.e4 for a developing player.

4. The Queen's Gambit (White)

Despite the name, the Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4) isn't a real sacrifice — if Black grabs the pawn, White wins it back with a better position. It gives you a strong, stable center and a clear plan. Study the Queen's Gambit →

5. The Caro-Kann Defense (Black vs 1.e4)

Solid, reliable, and hard to attack. After 1.e4 c6 Black builds a sturdy structure without the sharp risks of other defenses. If you like positions where you rarely get blown off the board, this is your opening.

How to actually learn one

Reading this list won't make any of these stick. Pick one, learn its main line, and drill it from memory until it's automatic — then add a second. That's the method in our guide to studying openings, and it's how GoWinChess is built. Browse the full opening library and start with one for free.