Underopenings

An underopening is a chess opening that is characterized by a delayed development of the king's pawn. In a typical opening, White plays 1.e4 and Black responds with a symmetrical move like 1...e5, or a move like 1...c5 (the Sicilian Defense). In an underopening, White might play a move that doesn't immediately challenge the center, such as 1.Nf3 or 1.c4. The idea is often to transpose into more established openings later, or to create a unique pawn structure and positional game.

Underopenings can be categorized by the first move played. For example, openings starting with 1.Nf3 are often referred to as "Reti System" openings, named after the Czech grandmaster Richard Réti. These can lead to a variety of pawn structures depending on Black's response and White's subsequent moves. Openings beginning with 1.c4 are known as the English Opening, which is a flexible choice that can also lead to many different types of games. Other less common underopenings include moves like 1.g3 (King's Indian Attack, though this can also arise from other move orders) or 1.b3 (Larsen's Opening).

The strategic goals of underopenings often involve controlling key squares from a distance, maintaining flexibility, and avoiding sharp, theoretical lines that might favor a well-prepared opponent. They can be particularly effective against players who are uncomfortable playing against unusual structures or who rely heavily on memorized opening variations. Underopenings often lead to more positional battles, where understanding pawn structures and piece maneuvering is paramount.