Surprise your opponents, avoid heavy theory, and rediscover offbeat defenses like Alekhine’s, the Pirc, and even the St. George.
It starts:
- e4
…and Black doesn’t reply with 1…e5. Welcome to the realm of the semi-open games, defenses that sidestep symmetry and aim for surprise.
WHITE SAYS:
These openings are rare for a reason. They’re not that good. I know what I’m doing, and I’ll punish your lack of central control.”
BLACK SAYS:
“My setup’s perfectly playable, just underrated. And because it’s offbeat, you probably haven’t seen it much. I’ll take that edge in preparation.”
Let’s dive into this jungle of underplayed, but far from unsound, openings.
The Caro-Kann Defense
1. e4 c6
2. d4 d5
Solid. Respected. Not flashy.
What’s Black Doing?
Challenging the e4-pawn with d5, just like in the French, but with more breathing room for the light-squared bishop.
Variations:
- Advance Variation:
3. e5
→ Black replies with 3… Bf5 and sets up with e6 and c5. White grabs space, Black plays for counterpunches. - Exchange Variation:
3. exd5 cxd5
→ White can go for a calm setup or the sharp Panov–Botvinnik Attack with 4. c4. - Main Line:
3. Nc3 (or 3. Nd2) dxe4
4. Nxe4
→ Then Black picks one of three plans:- 4… Bf5 (classical, simple)
- 4… Nd7 (Karpov-style)
- 4… Nf6 (inviting doubled pawns for development gains)
Summary: Great for patient, positional players. Not for thrill-seekers.
The Scandinavian Defense (Centre Counter)
1. e4 d5
2. exd5
Immediate central punch from Black. Sharp and to the point.
Options:
- 2… Qxd5
→ After 3. Nc3, the Queen will often slip to a5. Then Black goes for fast development: …Nf6, …Bc8-g4/f5, …c6. - 2… Nf6
→ Offers a pawn. If White accepts with 3. c4, Black can play:- 3… c6, for a Panov structure
- 3… e6 → the Icelandic Gambit, super sharp
Summary: Direct, disruptive, and growing in popularity.
The Pirc Defense
1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
A flexible setup where Black delays direct central confrontation.
Black’s Setup:
- fianchetto the dark-squared Bishop: …g6, …Bg7
- pressure e4 with …e5 or …c5 later
White’s Main Systems:
- Classical:
→ Nf3, Be2, O-O, Be3. Clean and safe. - Austrian Attack:
→ f4 and Nf3. White charges forward, looking to push e5 and crack Black’s position.
The Modern Defense
1. e4 g6
2. d4 Bg7
Like the Pirc, but even more flexible. Black might delay …Nf6 or play …d6 or …c5 depending on White’s choices.
Transposes easily into Pirc or King’s Indian setups.
Summary: Perfect if you’re a King’s Indian fan looking for a universal system.
Alekhine’s Defense
1. e4 Nf6
Hypermodern chaos. Black invites White to chase the Knight and build a massive center, then aims to destroy it.
Main Line:
- e5 Nd5
- d4 d6
- c4 Nb6
- f4 or Nf3
White gets space. Black looks for cracks. Provocative and unorthodox.
Summary: High risk. High reward. Not for the faint-hearted.
Nimzowitsch Defense
1. e4 Nc6
Unusual. Often dismissed, but not without venom.
After 2. d4:
- 2… d5
→ Leading to:- 3. e5 Bf5 (Advance-style)
- 3. exd5 Qxd5 (Scandinavian-flavored)
- 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. d5 (tricky)
White has the center. Black hopes to undermine it from the side.
The St. George Defense
1. e4 a6
2. d4 b5
Yes, this beat Karpov once.
Black wants …Bb7, hitting e4, and stops Nc3 with …b4.
Plan: …e6, …c5. Not as dumb as it looks.
Summary: Anti-theory surprise weapon. Best used once per tournament.
Owen’s Defense
1. e4 b6
2. d4 Bb7
Another unorthodox fianchetto. Black will play …e6 and …d5, trying to mimic the French with better bishop play.
Drawbacks:
- White has the center.
- Development can be slow.
- If White knows what they’re doing, this becomes a long grind.
Final Thoughts
These Semi-Open Games may not top the popularity charts, but they’re far from hopeless:
- They give you the element of surprise.
- They often avoid heavy theory.
- They lead to imbalanced, creative games.
Whether you want to stay solid (Caro-Kann), go wild (Alekhine), or try something weird (St. George), there’s something here for every style.
Just one warning: if you’re White, respect these lines, or risk becoming another victim of “bad” openings that aren’t so bad after all.
I’m Xuan Binh, the founder of Attacking Chess, and the Deputy Head of Communications at the Vietnam Chess Federation (VCF). My chess.com and lichess rating is above 2300, in both blitz and bullet. Follow me on Twitter (X).
