Chess Openings 101 by Gavin T Carlsen

Learn the smartest chess openings, one move at a time, no experience required.

Chess Openings 101: The Step-by-Step Playbook for Beginners and Casual Players is a clear, practical guide that shows you how to play the beginning of any chess game with purpose. Designed for absolute beginners and casual players, this book makes learning openings fun, frustration-free, and useful in real games—online or over-the-board.

Instead of stuffing your brain with dozens of lines, this book focuses on simple patterns, clear logic, and battle-tested moves that work at beginner levels. With diagrams, easy explanations, and zero jargon, it’s everything you need to finally “get” chess openings.

Inside this beginner chess book, you’ll learn:

The 5 most important goals in every opening
Why control of the center wins games
How to develop your pieces in the right order
The 7 best chess openings for white and black
Diagrams and walkthroughs for each key setup
How to avoid the most common beginner mistakes
Easy traps and tactics that actually work
You’ll also get practical “do this, not that” lists, side-by-side comparisons of similar openings, and summaries that make review quick and easy. It’s everything you need to improve your first 10 moves, and actually understand why they matter.

Ideal for beginners, casual players, and anyone looking to build strong, reliable opening habits from move one.