Opening compass

A deliberately small explorer focused on plans, landmarks, and lines you can actually remember.

Practice this opening

12 openings shown0 saved

Opening terms

Opening: A recognized family of positions created by the first moves of a game.
Line or variation: One particular sequence or branch inside an opening.
Book move: A move found in BM Chess's opening reference. Several book moves may be playable; book does not mean forced or uniquely best.
Out of book: The point where a game no longer matches a line in BM Chess's opening reference. The move is not automatically a mistake.
Theory: Opening positions and moves already studied in previous games or published analysis. A theoretical move is not necessarily forced or best.
Main line: The branch a named source treats as the most important or commonly studied. Other valid lines can still exist.
Theoretical novelty: A move not previously recorded in a named game database at a stated cutoff date. Leaving BM Chess's book alone does not prove a novelty.

A00

Van't Kruijs Opening

Starting line

Pawn to e3

Open position

A01

Nimzo-Larsen Attack

Starting line

Pawn to b3

Open position

A02

Bird Opening

Starting line

Pawn to f4

Open position

A04

Réti Opening

Starting line

Knight to f3

Open position

A10

English Opening

Starting line

Pawn to c4

Open position

A20

English Opening

King's English

Pawn to c4, then pawn to e5

Open position

A30

English Opening

Symmetrical

Pawn to c4, then pawn to c5

Open position

A40

Queen's Pawn Game

Starting line

Pawn to d4

Open position

A45

Trompowsky Attack

Starting line

Pawn to d4, then knight to f6, then bishop to g5

Open position

B00

King's Pawn Opening

Starting line

Pawn to e4

Open position

B01

Scandinavian Defense

Starting line

Pawn to e4, then pawn to d5

Open position

B07

Pirc Defense

Starting line

Pawn to e4, then pawn to d6, then pawn to d4, then knight to f6, then knight to c3, then pawn to g6

Open position

Build your repertoire

Use the bookmark on any opening card to keep your favorite choices ready for practice.

Repertoire saving is active

Plans before branches

Open any line at its real resulting position, then use the analysis board to explore plans and alternatives.

Opening lessons

Loading Busted Minds...

Opening compass

A deliberately small explorer focused on plans, landmarks, and lines you can actually remember.

Practice this opening

12 openings shown0 saved

Opening terms

Opening: A recognized family of positions created by the first moves of a game.
Line or variation: One particular sequence or branch inside an opening.
Book move: A move found in BM Chess's opening reference. Several book moves may be playable; book does not mean forced or uniquely best.
Out of book: The point where a game no longer matches a line in BM Chess's opening reference. The move is not automatically a mistake.
Theory: Opening positions and moves already studied in previous games or published analysis. A theoretical move is not necessarily forced or best.
Main line: The branch a named source treats as the most important or commonly studied. Other valid lines can still exist.
Theoretical novelty: A move not previously recorded in a named game database at a stated cutoff date. Leaving BM Chess's book alone does not prove a novelty.