Opening guide
Best chess openings for Black
15 complete defences for Black, grouped by White's first move. Each shows the main moves, the kind of game it leads to and who it suits, with a course where you learn the lines on the board.
How to choose
- You need two answers, not one
- As Black you choose a reply to 1.e4 and a reply to 1.d4. Most players also want a plan against 1.c4 and 1.Nf3, which many 1.d4 defences cover by transposition.
- You want a solid position
- The Caro-Kann, the French, the Petroff, the Slav and the Queen's Gambit Declined keep a sound pawn structure and give White few targets.
- You want winning chances
- The Sicilian Dragon, the Benoni, the King's Indian and the Alekhine unbalance the position from the start, so both sides play for a win.
- You want less theory
- The Scandinavian decides the opening on move one. The Budapest Gambit and the Nimzowitsch Sicilian take White out of the main lines early.
Against 1.e4
Every answer to 1.e4 has to meet a quick attack on the centre. These range from rock-solid to razor-sharp.
Pirc and King's Indian Defense
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 · 1.d4 d6 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6
The same kingside fianchetto against 1.e4, 1.d4 and the flank openings, for players who like to counterattack a big centre.
Caro-Kann Defense
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5
A solid answer to 1.e4 with a compact centre and an active light-squared bishop.
Scandinavian Defense
1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5
Black chooses the battle from move one: 1...d5 and the queen to a5, with a compact, easy-to-learn structure.
Nimzowitsch Sicilian
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6
A provocative Sicilian with 2...Nf6 that drags White away from the main lines.
Alekhine Defense
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5
Black invites White's pawns forward on move one, then attacks the overextended centre.
1.e4 e5 Repertoire for Black
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6
The classical answer to 1.e4, with active counterplay against every open game.
Petroff Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6
A very solid answer to 1.e4: counterattack e4 and keep the position balanced.
Sicilian Dragon
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
The sharpest Sicilian: a fianchettoed bishop and an early ...h5 against White's kingside attack.
French Defense
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5
A resilient answer to 1.e4 with a solid pawn chain and counterplay against White's centre.
Against 1.d4
Against 1.d4 Black chooses between holding d5 classically and letting White build a centre to attack it later.
Nimzo-Indian Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4
A classical answer to 1.d4: pin the c3 knight, fight for e4 and play against doubled pawns.
Benoni Defense
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7 5.e4 d6
An unbalanced answer to 1.d4 with the bishop on g7 and queenside counterplay.
Budapest Gambit
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5
A surprise gambit against 1.d4 with quick development and early threats.
Queen's Gambit Accepted
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4
Take the c4 pawn, develop quickly and hit the centre: a classical answer to the Queen's Gambit.
Queen's Gambit Declined Exchange
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bg5 Bb4
An active ...Bb4 answer to the Exchange Queen's Gambit Declined, White's most common try at club level.
Slav Defense
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bg4
A solid answer to the Queen's Gambit with the light-squared bishop developed outside the pawn chain.
How the courses work
Each course is a ready-made repertoire with a comment on every one of your moves. The board plays your opponent, you play your moves, and spaced repetition brings each line back just before you would forget it. The first line of every course is free. New to openings? Start with chess openings for beginners, or compare these with the chess openings for White.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best chess opening for Black?
Against 1.e4, 1...e5, the Caro-Kann, the French and the Sicilian are all first-class choices. Against 1.d4, the Queen's Gambit Declined, the Slav, the Nimzo-Indian and the King's Indian are the classical options. Pick the one whose positions you enjoy.
What should Black play against 1.e4 as a beginner?
1...e5 teaches the most about open games and development. The Caro-Kann is a good alternative if you prefer a solid structure with fewer early tactics.
What should Black play against 1.d4?
1...d5 with the Queen's Gambit Declined or the Slav is the most straightforward. If you want sharper play, the Nimzo-Indian, the King's Indian or the Benoni start with 1...Nf6.
How many openings should I learn with Black?
Two: one against 1.e4 and one against 1.d4. Add answers to 1.c4 and 1.Nf3 once those two feel comfortable.
Learn your first line today
The first line of every course is free, with or without an account.