Chess Openings: Semi-Closed Games

Semi-Closed Games and Irregular and Unusual Openings

Semi-Closed Games

Semi-Closed Games or Single Queen Pawn Games are openings where after the White’s opening move 1 d4 Black replies by a move other than 1 …d5.While Indian systems which contain the Black reply 2 …Nf6 are classed under Semi Closed games they are studied separately due to their importance and variety. Here we will consider openings where the Black response to 1d4 is neither 1 … d5 or 1 …Nf6.

There are two main types of Semi closed openings falling under the above category.

When the Black’s second move in response to 1 d4 is 1 … f5, Dutch Defense is the result. This once popular opening is not very commonly used in tournament play now. It is however a very belligerent opening.

When the Black’s second move in response is 1 … c5, Benoni Defense results. It is a sound defensive opening for Black. However it can be transformed into more volatile Indian system called Modern Benoni Defense which is popular with players at highest level.

Keres Defense (1 d4 e6 2 c4 Bb4+) transforms into variety of other openings such as Dutch Defense, Nimzo-Indian Defense, or Bogo-Indian Defense as well as Queen's Knight Defense.

In fact almost all of the Semi closed openings listed below can be transformed in to other openings. Independent lines of moves are very rare for these openings and are not very advantages for Black. As such they are hardly seen in tournament play.

Polish Defense (1. d4 b5) which aims for Q-side space at the expense of center has made rare appearances in tournaments. Queen's Knight Defense (1.d4 Nc6) which while resembling a Q-side version of the Alekhine Defense (e4 Nf6) does not make much sense since d pawn is defended by Queen. In response to Nc6, White can gain by playing Nf3. It can however transform into the Nimzowitsch Defense after the moves 1.d4 Nc6 2.e4 or to Chigorin Defense after the moves 2 c4 d5. English Defense (1.d4 e6 2.c4 b6), Englund Gambit (1.d4 e5) and Wade Defense (1.d4 d6) favors White through huge positional advantages.

ECO codes for these opening are A40 to A44 and A80 to A99

Irregular and Unusual Openings

These are openings where the first White move is neither 1 e4 , 1 d4 or one of the flank opening moves; b3, b4, c4, Nf3, f4, or g3. That leaves White with twelve other possible opening moves. While some of them are not absolutely bad and may be used for occasional experimentation they all suffer from some weaknesses.

We may categorize the basic weaknesses of these moves.

Moves d3, e3, c3, Nc3 are two passive to qualify as opening moves and lead to loss of White’s first move advantage. Moves f3 and g4 create vulnerabilities in White’s position without any corresponding advantage .Moves a3, a4, h3, and h4 contradicts basic opening principles and fail to aid in the control of the center or help the development of minor pieces. Finally Na3 and Nh3 take the Knights away from their most potent squares.

These opening moves along with Flank opening moves come under ECO codes A00 to A39.

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