How to Play Hyper Modern Chess

Are you a chess player who is tired of 1. d4 or 1. e4, even 1. c4? Do the openings have you bored, and wishing something would liven the game up for you again? Maybe you should consider Hypermodern chess openings. The idea of Hypermodern chess is controlling the center with pieces, not pawns. Flank attacks are extremely common.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. 

   Play Knight to f3 as an opening move. Developed by Richard Reti, this has long been successful at the tournament level of chess. White begins with 1.Nf3, and continues to pile pieces on the center squares, usually by way of b3 and Bishop b2. The idea is to allow black a pawn center, which can be attacked later by flank.

2. 

   Play 1. Nf3 against 1.d4. This move prevents the immediate e4, and the placement of the Bishop on g7 can add long lasting pressure to the white center. This Hypermodern play is called the King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation.

3. 

   Play Nf6 against 1.e4. This provocative move, known as Alekhine's Defense, dares white to chase the Knight all over, effectively ruining his pawn center. Normally the Knight ends up over on b6 safely, and the black Bishop is fianchettoed on g7, castle kingside. Shown is a typical Alekhine's Defense position after a few moves.

4. 

   Play Nf6 and e6 against 1. d4. This is known as the Nimzo-Indian Defense, and once again black allows white a big pawn center, planning on flank attacks later in the game. Shown is a typical Nimzo-Indian structure.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are a beginner chess player, I cannot recommend these openings. They are more for advanced players, and get complicated very quickly. 1. e4 or 1. d4 are your best bets until you are more comfortable with the game.