Chess Openings

The Spanish Opening

            In the Spanish opening White starts the game with e4.  E4 lets White's white squared bishop out. Black responds with e5.  White brings out a knight with Nf3 which also attacks Black's center pawn. Black plays Nc6 which defends the advanced pawn. White plays Bb5 which attacks Blacks knight.Black attacks White's bishop with a6.  White plays Bxc6 taking Black's knight. Black can take White's bishop with the pawn on b7 or the pawn on d7. It's better to be White in this opening.  White has a better position then Black, White's ready to castle, and White has minor pieces developed. 

Recap of the moves

e4    e5
Nf3  Nc6
Bb5  a6
Bxc6 bxc6 or dxc6

  

The French Defense

          The French defense starts with the common e4.  Black plays e6.  White plays d4.  Black plays d5 attacking White's e4 pawn.  White plays e5.  Black plays c5 attacking White's d4 pawn. White plays c3.  C3 is a nice move. It creates a pawn chain but still lets the bishops out towards the center.

Recap of the moves

e4  e6
d4  d5
e5  c5
c3  (the next move is usually Nc6)