Each week a different opening is being played.  2 games are played, one game as White and another as Black, with the time control being 30 minutes per player per game (no increment).  After each round a training session on the following week's opening will be conducted by IM Guy West.

Schedule of Play (comments by IM Guy West)

• Round #1 (28/4) Ruy Lopez, Marshall Attack:
  • 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5
  • Attacking genius Frank Marshall is said to have patiently waited many years after discovering this pawn sac idea, to spring it on the world’s numero uno player, Jose Capablanca. I won’t spoil your research by telling you the result of that game! It’s been called ‘the soundest gambit in chess’ and the debate has raged at the highest echelons for decades, with players of the calibre of Vishy Anand at the forefront of Marshall theory.
• Round #2 (5/5) Queen's Gambit Declined, Semi-Slav Defence, Botvinnik System:
  •  1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 5.Bg5 dxc4 6.e4 b5 7.e5 h6 8.Bh4 g5 9.Nxg5
  • This super wild variation has been debated at the top level in some fantastic games, with the ball currently in Black’s court as to the viability of the line. One of the most tactical variations played at the top level and a great playground for the imagination.
• Round #3 (12/5) Sicilian Defence, Dragon variation, Yugoslav Attack
  • 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 Bd7 10. 0-0-0
  • One of the most ‘beautiful’ variations found in top flight chess, where both sides can lay claim to exciting attacking chances. It is widely regarded as the critical test of the whole Dragon variation. There is a positional element to it as well, for those who prefer clarity.
• Round #4 (19/5) French Defence, Winawer variation
  • 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 Ne7 7.Qg4 Qc7 8.Qxg7
  • An ugly but fascinating variation which is regarded as a serious test of the immensely popular Winawer variation of the French. The resulting tactical melee has been embraced by many great players over the years, on both sides of the argument. I’ve never played it personally because of my deep conviction that both sides are completely lost!
• Round #5 (26/5) Pirc Defence
  • 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bc4 Bg7 5.Qe2 Nc6 6.e5 Nxd4 7.exf6 Nxe2 8.fxg7 Rg8 9.Ngxe2 Rxg7 10.Bh6 Rg8 11. 0-0-0
  • I thought we should have one ‘pet variation’ which doesn’t have much theory on it, and this line is great fun. White sacrifices a Queen and two pawns for 3 minor pieces, open lines and attacking chances. It’s about as wildly imbalanced a position as you can get after 6 moves. Don’t be swayed by the computer assessment of Black being better, White’s chances are just fine with creative play!