Recap: Your First System

Part of the Playing Real Games section of Coddy's Chess journey. Lesson 19 of 40.

Ten boards from your two systems, both chairs. The Italian setup and its two plans, the London and its one rule, the Fried Liver declined - plus a mate from Fundamentals that lives in the same opening, and one landing square to check.

Try it yourselfBeginner

Position 1 of 10

PlayBlack played a modest bishop move. Your setup does not change: step three.

All 10 positions

All lessons in Playing Real Games

1Think Before You Move

What Did That Move Change?Checks, Captures, Threats The Landing Square The Blunder Check Two Candidates, Not One Recap: Think Before You Move

4Your First Answers as Black

1...e5 Against Everything The Four-Move Mate, for Good 1...d5 Against 1.d4 Play It Out as Black Recap: Your First Answers

7The Rules of Play

Draws in Practice Touch Move and the Clock

2Opening Principles

Centre, Pieces, King Don't Move It Twice The Early Queen Connect the Rooks Something Strange Recap: Opening Principles

5Trading and Converting

When to Trade Simplify Into a Won Ending No Hurry Stalemate: Only Way to Lose Promote the Extra Pawn Recap: Trading and Converting

8Your First Real Games

Project: A Whole Game Read Your Review Recap: Real Games

3Your First System as White

The Italian Setup The Plans Behind It The Fried Liver The London in Five Play It Out: Game One Play It Out: Game TwoRecap: Your First System

6Defending

Under Pressure Defending a Mate Threat Counterattack Perpetual Check Recap: Defending