With over 1000 openings in chess, the most common source of their names is being named after a chess player. On this page, you’ll find a comprehensive list of chess openings named after people. The list is by no means complete, as it will take years to refine. We’re up for the challenge.
Keep in mind that some of these openings are less popular or extensively analyzed compared to other mainstream openings. However, they all have been named after notable chess players, theoreticians, or locations associated with their development or popularization.
A
Alekhine’s Defense (1.e4 Nf6)
Named after Alexander Alekhine, a Russian-French Grandmaster and World Chess Champion from 1927-1935 and 1937-1946. Alekhine’s Defense is a provocative opening where Black tempts White to overextend their pawn center.
Anderssen’s Opening (1.a3)
Named after Adolf Anderssen, a German chess master who was one of the world’s leading players in the 19th century. Anderssen’s Opening is an offbeat and irregular opening that often transposes into other openings.
Albin Countergambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5)
Named after Adolf Albin, a Romanian chess player who was one of the strongest players in the late 19th century. The Albin Countergambit is an aggressive response to the Queen’s Gambit that seeks to challenge White’s center immediately.
Alapin’s Opening (1.e4 e5 2.Ne2)
Named after Semyon Alapin, a Russian chess master and theoretician who contributed to opening theory in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Alapin’s Opening is a rare and offbeat system that seeks to avoid mainline openings.
Alapin Variation (1.e4 c5 2.c3)
Named after Semyon Alapin. The Alapin Variation is a solid and less explored alternative to the Open Sicilian, often leading to a more positional game with pawn structures resembling the Caro-Kann or French defenses.
Archangelsk Variation (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bb7)
Named after The Russian city of Archangelsk. Although the opening is not named after a person, its origin is closely associated with Russian chess players and theoreticians.
Note: The Archangelsk Variation is included in the list because of its connection to a group of people, even though it is not named after a specific person.
Aronian Variation (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7 5.Bf4 O-O 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Bxc5 8.a3)
Named after Levon Aronian, an Armenian Grandmaster and one of the top chess players in the world during the 21st century. The Aronian Variation is a modern line in the Queen’s Gambit Declined that aims to delay committing the pawn structure and maintain flexibility.
Averbakh System (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 O-O 6.Bg5)
Named after Yuri Averbakh, a Russian Grandmaster, and one of the leading Soviet chess players during the 1950s and 1960s. He is also a prolific chess author and endgame expert. The Averbakh System is a line in the King’s Indian Defense that focuses on controlling key central squares and limiting Black’s counterplay.
Avrukh Variation (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3)
Named after Boris Avrukh, an Israeli Grandmaster and chess author who contributed to opening theory. The Avrukh Variation is a flexible approach against the Indian defenses that often transposes into Catalan or Fianchetto setups.
Asztalos Variation (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e6 7.O-O Be7 8.f4 O-O)
Named after: Lajos Asztalos, a Hungarian chess player who was an International Master and a strong player in the early 20th century. The Asztalos Variation is a less explored but solid line in the Scheveningen Variation of the Sicilian Defense, where Black aims for a flexible pawn structure and counterplay on the wings.
B
Bogo-Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+)
Named after Efim Bogoljubov, a Ukrainian-born German chess Grandmaster and two-time World Chess Championship challenger. The Bogo-Indian Defense is a solid and reliable opening for Black against 1.d4, characterized by the early check on b4, aiming to exchange the dark-squared bishops and create a sound pawn structure.
Benoni Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.Nc3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6)
Named after The term “Benoni” is derived from the Hebrew word “בְּנוֹנִי” meaning “son of my sorrow”. Although not named after a specific person, the opening’s name originated from a book written by Aaron Reinganum in 1825, who named it after a biblical character. The Benoni Defense is a dynamic and unbalanced opening that leads to sharp, double-edged positions.
3. Bird’s Opening (1.f4)
Named after Henry Bird, an English chess master in the 19th century known for his unorthodox style of play. Bird’s Opening is an offbeat system that often leads to unique pawn structures and imbalanced positions. It is related to the Dutch Defense, as it employs the same f-pawn advance one move earlier.
Breyer Variation (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O 9.h3 Nb8)
Named after Gyula Breyer, a Hungarian chess player who was one of the leading hypermodern chess theorists in the early 20th century. The Breyer Variation is a solid and flexible line in the Closed Ruy Lopez that involves a knight maneuver to b8, aiming for a better pawn structure and improved piece coordination.
Botvinnik System (1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.a3 e6 6.Rb1 Nge7 7.b4)
Named after Mikhail Botvinnik, a Soviet chess Grandmaster and three-time World Chess Champion. The Botvinnik System is an aggressive and ambitious pawn structure in the English Opening that aims to gain space on the queenside and create pressure against Black’s central pawns.
Bronstein-Larsen Variation (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ gxf6)
Named after David Bronstein, a Soviet chess Grandmaster and World Chess Championship challenger, and Bent Larsen, a Danish Grandmaster who was one of the strongest non-Soviet players during the 1960s and 1970s. The Bronstein-Larsen Variation is a sharp and unbalanced line in the Caro-Kann Defense that leads to an open center and dynamic play.
Budapest Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5)
Named after The city of Budapest, Hungary, where the Budapest gambit was first played in a tournament in 1896. Although not named after a specific person, the opening’s development and popularization was closely associated with Hungarian chess players and theoreticians. This Gambit is a sharp and double-edged opening that aims to challenge White’s pawn center early in the game.
Blackburne Shilling Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4)
Named after Joseph Henry Blackburne, an English chess player who was one of the world’s leading players in the 19th century. The Blackburne Shilling Gambit is a tricky and offbeat opening that aims to catch White off-guard and capitalize on potential mistakes. However, it is not considered sound at the highest level of play.
Blumenfeld Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 b5)
Named after Benjamin Blumenfeld, a Russian chess player and theoretician who contributed to opening theory in the early 20th century. The Blumenfeld Gambit is a dynamic and ambitious response to the Benoni Defense that seeks to create counterplay on the queenside by sacrificing a pawn for activity.
Boleslavsky Variation (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2 e5)
Named after: Isaac Boleslavsky, a Soviet chess Grandmaster and trainer who contributed to opening theory in the mid-20th century. The Boleslavsky Variation is a line in the Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defense that involves an early central pawn break with e5, aiming for a flexible pawn structure and active piece play.
Barcza System (1.Nf3 d5 2.g3)
Named after Gedeon Barcza, a Hungarian chess International Master and eight-time Hungarian champion who was a strong player in the mid-20th century. The Barcza System is a flexible and solid opening that can transpose into various fianchetto setups, such as the King’s Indian Attack or the Réti Opening.
C
Caro-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5)
Named after Horatio Caro, an English chess player, and Marcus Kann, an Austrian player, both of whom contributed to the development of this opening in the late 19th century. The Caro-Kann Defense is a solid and reliable opening that aims for a sound pawn structure and gradual counterplay against White’s center.
Chigorin Defense (1.d4 d5 2.c4 Nc6)
Named after Mikhail Chigorin, a Russian chess master who was one of the world’s leading players in the late 19th century and the founder of the Russian chess school. The Chigorin Defense is an aggressive and offbeat response to the Queen’s Gambit that challenges White’s center with an early knight development.
Closed Sicilian (1.e4 c5 2.Nc3)
Named after The island of Sicily, the name of the opening is derived from the Latin word “Siculus”. Although not named after a specific person, the Closed Sicilian has been developed and popularized by numerous players and theoreticians. The Closed Sicilian is a less explored alternative to the Open Sicilian, leading to slower and more closed positions with a focus on piece maneuvering.
Colle System (1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3)
Named after Edgard Colle, a Belgian chess master who was a strong player in the early 20th century. The Colle System is a solid and quiet opening that aims for a slow build-up of central pawns and piece development, often leading to a later kingside attack.
Cozio Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nge7)
Named after Carlo Cozio, an Italian chess player and theoretician who was a strong player in the 18th century. The Cozio Defense is a rare and offbeat line in the Ruy Lopez that aims for a flexible pawn structure and piece coordination.
D
Dutch Defense (1.d4 f5)
Named after the country of the Netherlands, although not named after a specific person, the Dutch Defense has been developed and popularized by numerous Dutch players and theoreticians. The Dutch Defense is a solid opening that aims to control the e4-square and create counterplay on the kingside.
Dragon Variation (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6)
Named after the resemblance of Black’s pawn structure to a dragon. While not named after a specific person, the Dragon Variation of the Sicilian Defense has been extensively studied and played by many top players. It is a sharp and double-edged opening with both sides aiming for rapid piece activity and attacking chances.
E
English Opening (1.c4)
Named after the country of England, although not named after a specific person, the English Opening has been popularized by numerous English players and theoreticians. The English Opening is a flexible and solid opening that often leads to slower and more strategic positions.
Evans Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4)
Named after Captain William Davies Evans, a Welsh sea-captain and amateur chess player who introduced this gambit in the early 19th century. The Evans Gambit is a sharp and aggressive opening that sacrifices a pawn for rapid piece development and attacking chances.
F
French Defense (1.e4 e6)
Named after the country of France, although not named after a specific person, the French Defense has been developed and popularized by numerous French players and theoreticians. The French Defense is a solid and counterattacking opening that aims to challenge White’s pawn center and create imbalances in the pawn structure.
G
Grünfeld Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5)
Named after: Ernst Grünfeld, an Austrian chess Grandmaster who was one of the world’s leading players in the 1920s and 1930s. The Grünfeld Defense is a hypermodern opening that allows White to build a pawn center, only to attack and undermine it later with precise piece play.
Gruenfeld Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.g4)
Named after: Ernst Grünfeld. The Gruenfeld Gambit is an offbeat and aggressive gambit that aims to disrupt Black’s plans in the Grünfeld Defense by sacrificing a pawn for rapid piece development and attacking chances.
H
Hedgehog System (1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 a6 6.g3 Qc7 7.Bg2 d6 8.O-O Be7 9.b3 O-O 10.Bb2 Nbd7)
Named after the resemblance of the pawn structure to a hedgehog. While not named after a specific person, the Hedgehog System has been played and studied by many top players. It is a flexible and solid system that can arise from various move orders and openings, characterized by a compact pawn structure and counterattacking chances.
I
Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4)
Named after the country of Italy, although not named after a specific person, the Italian Game has been developed and popularized by numerous Italian players and theoreticians. The Italian Game is a classical opening that focuses on rapid piece development and control of the center.
J
Janisch Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 f5)
Named after Carl Janisch, a German-Russian chess player and theoretician who introduced this gambit in the mid-19th century. The Janisch Gambit is a sharp and double-edged line in the Ruy Lopez that aims to challenge White’s center and create attacking chances on the kingside.
K
1. King’s Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7)
Named after: The opening’s resemblance to the Indian Defense, which features the fianchetto of the king’s bishop. Although not named after a specific person, the King’s Indian Defense has been popularized by numerous players and theoreticians. It is a hypermodern opening that aims to counterattack White’s pawn center with precise piece play and pawn breaks.
2. King’s Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4)
Named after: The aggressive nature of the gambit involving the king’s pawn. While not named after a specific person, the King’s Gambit has been played and studied by many top players throughout history. It is a sharp and double-edged opening that sacrifices a pawn for rapid piece development and attacking chances.
L
Larsen’s Opening (1.b3)
Named after: Bent Larsen, a Danish chess Grandmaster who was one of the strongest non-Soviet players during the 1960s and 1970s. Larsen’s Opening is an offbeat and flexible opening that often leads to unique pawn structures and imbalanced positions.
Leningrad Dutch (1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.O-O d6 7.Nc3 Qe8)
Named after: The city of Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia, where the opening was developed and popularized by Soviet chess players. The Leningrad Dutch is a sharp and aggressive variation of the Dutch Defense that combines ideas from the King’s Indian Defense with the characteristic f-pawn advance.
M
Max Lange Attack (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.O-O Bc5 6.e5 d5 7.exf6 dxc4 8.Re1+ Be6 9.Ng5 Qd5 10.Nc3)
Named after Max Lange, a German chess player and problem composer who contributed to the development of this opening in the 19th century. The Max Lange Attack is a sharp and aggressive line in the Italian Game that leads to open positions with chances for both sides.
N
1. Nimzo-Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4)
Named after: Aron Nimzowitsch, a Latvian-born chess Grandmaster and one of the most influential chess thinkers and writers in the early 20th century. The Nimzo-Indian Defense is a solid and flexible opening that aims for a sound pawn structure, piece coordination, and control of key central squares.
2. Najdorf Variation (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6)
Named after: Miguel Najdorf, an Argentine chess Grandmaster who was one of the world’s leading players in the mid-20th century. The Najdorf Variation is a highly regarded and deeply analyzed line in the Sicilian Defense that aims for a flexible pawn structure, counterplay, and active piece play.
O
1. Old Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3.Nc3 e5)
Named after: The opening’s resemblance to the Indian Defense, which features the fianchetto of the king’s bishop. Although not named after a specific person, the Old Indian Defense has been played and studied by many top players. It is a solid and flexible opening that aims to control the center and create counterplay with well-coordinated pieces.
P
1. Petrov’s Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6)
Named after: Alexander Petrov, a Russian chess player and theoretician who was one of the world’s leading players in the early 19th century. Petrov’s Defense is a solid and counterattacking opening that aims to challenge White’s center and create imbalances in the pawn structure.
Q
1. Queen’s Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4)
Named after: The aggressive nature of the gambit involving the queen’s pawn. While not named after a specific person, the Queen’s Gambit has been played and studied by many top players throughout history. It is a classical opening that aims for rapid piece development and control of the center.
R
1. Réti Opening (1.Nf3 d5 2.c4)
Named after: Richard Réti, a Czechoslovak chess Grandmaster who was one of the leading hypermodern chess theorists in the early 20th century. The Réti Opening is a flexible and hypermodern opening that aims to control the center with pieces rather than pawns and create counterplay with pawn breaks and piece coordination.
S
Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5)
Named after: The island of Sicily, the name of the opening is derived from the Latin word “Siculus”. Although not named after a specific person, the Sicilian Defense has been developed and popularized by numerous players and theoreticians. The Sicilian Defense is a highly regarded and deeply analyzed opening that aims for counterplay, active piece play, and a flexible pawn structure.
T
Trompowsky Attack (1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5)
Named after: Octavio Trompowsky, a Brazilian chess International Master who was a leading player in Brazil in the mid-20th century. The Trompowsky Attack is a flexible and offbeat opening that aims to disrupt Black’s plans in the Indian Defenses and create imbalances in the position.
U
Urusov Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d4)
Named after: Prince Sergey Urusov, a Russian chess player and theoretician who was a strong player in the mid-19th century. The Urusov Gambit is a sharp and aggressive line in the Bishop’s Opening that aims to challenge Black’s center and create attacking chances.
V
Vienna Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nc3)
Named after: The city of Vienna, Austria, where the opening was developed and popularized by Austrian chess players. The Vienna Game is a flexible and offbeat opening that aims for rapid piece development and control of the center, often leading to unique pawn structures and imbalanced positions.
W
Winawer Variation (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4)
Named after: Szymon Winawer, a Polish chess player who was one of the world’s leading players in the late 19th century. The Winawer Variation is a highly regarded and deeply analyzed line in the French Defense that aims for counterplay, active piece play, and a flexible pawn structure.
X
There are no known chess openings starting with the letter X that are named after people.
Y
Yugoslav Attack (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4)
Named after: The country of Yugoslavia, where the opening was developed and popularized by Yugoslav chess players. The Yugoslav Attack is a sharp and aggressive line in the Sicilian Defense, particularly against the Dragon Variation, that aims for rapid piece development, control of the center, and kingside attacking chances.
Z
1. Zukertort Opening (1.Nf3)
Named after: Johannes Zukertort, a Polish-born chess player who was one of the world’s leading players in the late 19th century. The Zukertort Opening is a flexible and solid opening that can transpose into various pawn structures and positions, often leading to slower and more strategic play.
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