Saragossa Opening
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1.c3
ECO code: A00
Parent: Starting position

1. c3 · Saragossa Opening edit

A rarely played move as it takes away the Knight's developing square c3. It is likely to transpose into a London System, Torre attack, Colle system, or Macleod Attack where the pawn structure is generally c3, d4, e3, or e5 depending on black's moves. Another possible idea, following the response 1.c3 c5, is to transpose into the Alapin.

Statistics edit

Chess.com master database edit

The Saragossa Opening was played 494 times in games in the Chess.com master database

Approximate chances edit

White win 30%, Draw 26%, Black win 44%.

Next move popularity edit

Nf6 28%, d5 19%, e5 11%, c5 10%, f5 6%, g6 4%, b6 3%, d6 2%, e6 2%, other moves 2%

Lichess master database edit

The Saragossa Opening was played 289 times in games in the Lichess master database

Approximate chances edit

White win 31%, Draw 34%, Black win 34%.

Next move popularity edit

Nf6 34%, d5 24%, e5 12%, c5 10%, g6 6%, b6 5%, f5 5%, d6 2%, other moves 2%

Theory table edit

1.c3

  1 2  
  c3
Nf6
d4
 
  ...
d5
d4
 
=
  ...
e5
d4
 
See Sicilian Defence (but played by White) ...
...
c4
 
=
Lopez Opening ...
...
e4
 
 

All possible Black's moves edit

Quick
Navigation
Na6
a6
a5

b6
b5
Nc6
c6
c5

d6
d5

e6
e5
Nf6
f6
f5

g6
g5
Nh6
h6
h5

References edit

  • Eric Schiller (2002). Unorthodox Chess Openings (Second Edition ed.). Cardoza. ISBN 1-58042-072-9. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

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