Chess Openings With Animal Names

Believe it or not, there are many chess openings with animal names. Many are silly, and not for serious tournament play. Some actually are good openings, like the Wolf, a variation of the Sicilian, or the Pelican, also a variation of 1. e4 c5. How these openings got their names varies from one to the other, some being after someone whose last name sounds like an animal, and some which for some reason reminded someone somewhere of an animal. These openings get their names through word of mouth, and often have more than one name. The main point is, it is a way to make chess fun. Chess already is fun but can sometimes get so serious and stuffy it's nice to have a little break now and then from all the studying and just play chess like an animal. In order to follow along with the moves, make sure you know how to read a chess game.

 Watch out, because things can go ape with this opening!

1. b4!?

That's all there is too it! Easy to learn, huh? Just don't forget to put your bishop on b2 next move.

This opening is also known as the Sokolsky. It is rumored that Mr. Sokolsky was trying to think what to play in his next tournament while visiting the zoo, and asked an orangutan what he should play, and this is what the orangutan told him. Pretty crazy, but with chess players you never know.

In chess there are classical openings and modern openings. Both try to control the center. The difference is, with classical opening systems the center is controlled with pawns, and with modern or hyper modern openings the center is controlled with pieces. For example, notice in the picture below that even though White is not occupying the center with a pawn, he is still controlling the squares d4 and e5 with his bishop on b2. This is known as a fianchettoed bishop, from the italian word for corner.

The first move of the Bird is 1. f4.

It is named after Henry Bird, a famous chess player who played this a lot. Usually the next move then for White is Nf3. Not too many top players play this opening, but a few do. Those who do play it really love it.

The problem with the Bird is that it is a very commital opening. Remember, pawns don't move backwards. So once you play f4 Black knows exactly what you are playing, and has all kinds of flexibility in how to respond. Other opening moves are more flexible, like Nf3, e4, or d4.

 The Giraffe goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nc3 Bc5 3. Qg4

The queen is coming out a little bit too early. Kids can sometime get away with this against other kids, especially if they don't know what they're doing. After all, that queen is a big bully and if Black isn't careful, will eat up everything in sight. The pawn on g7 first, then the rook on h8, then the pawn on h7 and so forth.

However, and this is a big however, if Black plays correctly he might even win that queen. That's why you shouldn't play your queen out too early in general. So, even though Giraffes are great animals and all, they probably don't make great chess openings. But you can try it if you are a kid or a beginner and see if you have some fun with it, and learn some chess principles first hand.

 A Gambit is where you give up a pawn for an attack or postitional advantage. The Elephant Gambit goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d5 3. ed Bd6 or 3. ed e4

Black is stampeding down the board like a crazy wild elephant! He is stomping everything in his path, and White better hunker down and get out of the way. Sure, he may be a pawn down, but he's got momentum and speed and besides that he's gone berserk!

Just take a look at what can happen.