{"id":1609,"date":"2021-08-08T16:56:31","date_gmt":"2021-08-08T16:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chessquestions.com\/?p=1609"},"modified":"2022-07-03T10:28:14","modified_gmt":"2022-07-03T10:28:14","slug":"best-openings-for-black-in-chess","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chessquestions.com\/best-openings-for-black-in-chess\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Best Openings for Black Pieces in Chess [Sicilian – French – Grunfeld – Slav)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Choosing the best opening from Black’s side can be a tedious task. Black doesn’t have the luxury of the first move that the White does. Usually, Black’s opening choice revolves around the idea of achieving an equal and solid position, as soon as possible. Making your own structure stable and giving minimum to no chances to White to improve their position is the main goal for Black. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best openings for black pieces<\/a> when playing as a beginner in chess are the Sicilian defense, French Defense, Grünfeld defense and finally the Slav defense. At Elite level they may help gain a draw, but for beginners, they provide a good base to go on and attack and win games.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Traditionally, in elite tournaments, playing from Black and making a draw is considered a good result. However, this is far from the truth when it comes to players of lower Elo. Here, the play is more dynamic and the chances of inaccuracies<\/a> are higher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hence, choosing a good opening from Black is crucial. Opting for the right opening that suits your style of play will help you achieve a comfortable position, where you can play with ease and where ideas come to you naturally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are the top 4 opening choices for Black – Choose one and learn it and all the lines well. Play it, see how you do, then come back and learn another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Sicilian is one of the best openings with the Black pieces. It starts after 1.e4<\/a> c5 & offers Black excellent fighting chances. No wonder it has been a go-to weapon for players like Kasparov and Fischer. Today, the biggest exponents of the Sicilian Defense include Maxime Vachier Lagrave and the 2021 World Championship<\/a> Challenger Ian Nepomniatchchi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Sicilian Defense, the most popular line is the open variation after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The line continues with 3…cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And here Black has a variety of choices including some sharp variations like the Sicilian Dragon(5…g6), Najdorf(5…a6), Classical(5…Nc6) or Scheveningen(5…e6). <\/p>\n\n\n\n In all of those lines, Black’s long-term strategy<\/a> revolves around counterattack. Because of this, sacrifices are very common in the Sicilian Defense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, the opening is objectively sound and it can’t be refuted by the computer. So if you love playing attacking chess, with lots of complications and dynamic ideas, the Sicilian is perfect for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The French Defense is a very solid opening and unlike the Sicilian, isn’t very dynamic. It starts after 1.e4 e6. It’s excellent for players who like to play strategic positions, though a few variations need tactical ideas as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Elite players like GM Viktor Korchnoi and GM Nigel Short have used the French defense extensively. Currently, GMs V. Akobian and Alexander Morozevich still use this opening as their main weapon from the black side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The French defense is ideal for those who don’t like memorizing a lot of lines. That’s because the core of the opening revolves around a few basic ideas such as exchanging the bad c8-bishop as soon as possible or doing the correct knight maneuvers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary French defense variation goes like 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 where White has options of – 3. Nc3 is the main line leading to variations like Winaver, Rubinstein and Steinitz etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3.e5 is the Advance variation, 3.exd5 is the Exchange variation and 3.Nd2 is the Tarrasch Variation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually, Black’s main idea is to create play on the queen’s side, while White focuses more on the kingside. Computer analysis<\/a> generally supports the French defense. It gives Black a sound position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Players who like to keep it solid, while still having aggressive options at hand, should opt for the French defense. They can choose different variations depending upon their opponent’s style of play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Grunfeld Defence is one of the most attacking and dynamic options against 1.d4. Instead of playing in the center, Black’s main idea is to first develop their minor pieces<\/a>. And when the time is right, strike in the center to undermine White’s control on it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Grunfeld has been the go-to weapon of former World Champions Garry Kasparov and Vassily Symslov against 1.d4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Sicilian Defense<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. French Defense<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Grunfeld Defense <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n