Chess Openings: Flank openings

Flank openings

Flank openings are openings where the White opens with a move other than e4 or d5. However they do not include the 12 obviously weak openings classed as unusual openings. Flank opening moves include 6 moves; b3, b4, c4, Nf3, f4, and g3. Most such openings adopt the hypermodern theory of openings which advocates attacking and controlling the center using pieces in the wings instead of using pawns in the center.

Of the six Flank openings 1 Nf3 and 1 c4 are the most popular.

1. Nf3

In case of 1 Nf3, the opening usually transforms into either a closed game (1 d4 d5) or one of the Indian Systems (1 d4 Nf6). However there are independent lines of moves and thus bona fide openings associated with this opening move. These are knows as Réti Opening and King's Indian Attack.

In Réti Opening, after 1.Nf3 White fianchettoes either one or both Bishops, but does not make the move d4 during the opening

King's Indian Attack is a system of moves that aims to achieve a specific position. This can usually be done regardless of how Black plays. Usual sequence of moves may proceed; 1 Nf3, 2.g3, 3 Bg2, 4.0-0, 5 d3, 6.Nbd2, 7 e4. However this is not rigid, a different set of moves may result in the same position for White. Distinguishing position in King's Indian Attack can also be reached from other openings as well; for instance from Semi open games such as Sicilian Defense, Caro-Kann Defense, or French Defense, if White wants to avoid those openings. King's Indian Attack position can even be reached from Open games. This makes it useful for players who do not want to study detailed and complicated book openings of Black’s response to 1 e4.

1 c4

1 c4, or English Opening, usually transforms in to a Queen's Pawn Openings (1 d4). However it does have unique independent move sets after such moves as 1 c4 c5, or 1 c4 e5 which look like Sicilian Defense with colors exchanged

Others Flank openings

Others Flank openings while not as popular as the above two are also met with in tournament play.

In Larsen's Opening (1 b3) White decides to wait till Black commits to center. Sokolsky Opening (1.b4) also called Polish opening aims to fianchetto the Bishop and cramp Black's Queen Side. In Benko Opening the move 1 g3 allows White to be flexible and fianchetto the Bishop. In Bird's Opening (1 f4) White gains the ability to develop the Knight behind the pawn and to control e4 more securely. It can also be transformed to Dutch opening (1 f4 d5).

Flank opening along with unusual openings are listed under ECO codes A00 to A39.

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