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The infamous Grob Opening starts with the opening move of 1.g4

Exploring the Grob Opening, the world’s strangest chess opening

October 27, 2025 11:14 pm

This unconventional path, rejected by purists and loved by eccentrics, has origins dating back to the nineteenth century but found its true advocate in Henri Grob, who devoted most of his chess life to analyzing and spreading its unique perspectives

Chess 101 column from Shivika Rohilla on English Opening

English breakfast: Serving 1.c4 on the chessboard

July 15, 2025 7:18 pm

Often seen as a quieter, more positional alternative to the aggressive 1.e4 or the flexible 1.d4, the English Opening offers a sophisticated way to fight for the center without immediate confrontation

The Bird's Opening, named after 19th-century English master Henry Bird, appeals to players who want to engage in rich strategic engagements outside of standard e4 or d4.

Firepower from the flanks: Why 1.f4, the Bird’s Opening, deserves your attention

June 29, 2025 5:19 pm

The Bird's Opening is commonly ignored in mainstream opening theory, although it provides White with a creative and unconventional way forward.

Chess 101 series by Woman FIDE Master Shivika Rohilla: There are few openings in chess more wonderfully odd than 1.b4, which is called as the Orangutan, or Sokolsky Opening. (Photo courtesy Lichess)

Opening with instinct: The wild logic of playing 1.b4, also called the Orangutan Opening

June 16, 2025 4:29 pm

From zoo-side inspiration to grandmaster execution, the Orangutan Opening walks a curious line. Part myth, part method, it’s a tribute to chess’s rich imagination. And a reminder that every move has a story — even 1.b4.

Chess 101 series by Woman FIDE Master Shivika Rohilla

Beyond 1.e4 and 1.d4: The case to play 1.b3 in modern chess

May 22, 2025 10:23 pm

Whether used as a primary weapon or a surprise strategy, the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack remains a timeless choice for players seeking creativity, flexibility, and control from the very first move!