Occupy the centre
Pawns on d4, e4, d5 and e5 give your pieces room. Count first whether the pawn is safe there.
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Opening
Get off to a good start
First you learn the basics that apply in every opening. Then you play through the first moves of famous openings – with White and with Black.
Opening principles
4 lessonsThe ideas behind good first moves. Kinglet shows you each idea first, then you practise it in new positions.
Develop your pieces
Knights and bishops should come out early – to squares from which they attack the centre.
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Stop the early mate
Queen and bishop aim at f7 or f2 together. Recognise when it would really be mate – and stop it.
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Get your king safe
Castle early: the king leaves the middle and the rook joins the game. For that the squares in between must be empty.
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Openings
12 openingsWell-known move orders to play through. First Kinglet shows you the moves, then you quiz yourself.
Beginner
Italian Game
Classical Variation, Giuoco Pianissimo · 6 moves
Develop quickly, aim a bishop at f7 and castle early – the perfect first opening.
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Intermediate
Spanish Game
Ruy Lopez, Closed · 8 moves
A classic for over 450 years: White pressures the defender of e5 and plays the long game.
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Beginner
Scotch Game
Classical Variation · 8 moves
Open the centre early and develop your pieces with a clear plan.
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Beginner
French Defense
Advance Variation, Paulsen Attack · 7 moves
Gain space with a pawn chain. Learn how Black attacks its base.
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Beginner
Queen’s Gambit Declined
Orthodox Defense · 6 moves
Attack the central pawn from the side. Black supports it and develops the kingside.
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Intermediate
King’s Indian Defense
Classical System, Aronin-Taimanov Defense · 8 moves
White builds a broad pawn centre. Black challenges it and seeks play on the kingside.
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Intermediate
Sicilian Defense
Najdorf Variation, Main Line · 9 moves
Explore an unbalanced centre. White develops an attack while Black seeks counterplay.
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Beginner
Caro-Kann Defense
Classical Variation, Spassky Variation · 10 moves
Develop the bishop outside its pawn chain. White gains kingside space in return.
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Beginner
Slav Defense
Czech Variation, Classical Main Line · 10 moves
Support the centre with the c-pawn. The c8-bishop can develop outside the pawn chain.
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Intermediate
Nimzo-Indian Defense
Rubinstein System, Gligoric Setup · 9 moves
Restrain White’s centre with a pin. Discover play with an isolated d-pawn.
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Beginner
London System
Accelerated London System · 9 moves
Develop the bishop early, outside the pawn chain. Then build a stable centre.
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Beginner
English Opening
Symmetrical Variation, Full Symmetry Line · 8 moves
Control the centre from the side. Open it later with the d-pawn.
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