Every great chess legend started with a single move and every grandmaster was once a beginner, just like you. Find your path to victory in Chess, the comprehensive game that’s as suitable for total beginners as it is for advanced players attempting to refine their strategy.

For those hoping to go even further and play in esports tournaments, Chess is where you can test out some of the powerful opening strategies used by esports champions around the world.

Read on to see four we think you’ll enjoy challenging yourself to, whether your sights are set on pro competitions or simply taking your personal game further.

Strategy: Scholar’s Mate

Tap Play a Bot on the game’s Home tab and test this sneaky classic. Open with your king’s pawn to control the centre. Your opponent mirrors your move, thinking it’s just a normal opening. But you have a plan... Your queen glides across the board, your bishop swoops into position and in just four moves, checkmate.

Strategy: The Italian Game

Against trickier opponents, start with Play Coach on the Learn tab or challenge a mid-tier bot like Nelson via the Home tab. Because they won’t fall for a quick checkmate, you’ll need to be smart. Develop your knight and bishop to take control of the board, then sacrifice a pawn with the Evans Gambit, daring your opponent to take it. Start moving your pieces quickly and swarm the opponent’s defence until it crumbles. You’ll checkmate them a few moves later.

Strategy: The Caro-Kann Defence

Not every game is about attacking first. The esport pros often push hard and that’s where the Caro-Kann Defense comes in. Try it in Play a Friend mode on the Home tab, or tap Learn an Opening on the Learn tab to master it first. When your opponent charges forward, throwing their best attacks at you, don’t panic. Instead, quietly build a wall of pawns to block every possible attack. Your opponent will keep pushing, burning through their energy – that’s when you launch a surprise counterattack. Calm under pressure is your esports edge.

Strategy: The King’s Indian Defence

This is where it gets real. In high-stakes games or Tournament mode (available via the Home tab), pick a strategy that confuses even the best. Try the King’s Indian Defence. Instead of rushing forward, let your opponent take the centre so they feel (falsely) comfortable. Then explode your knight and bishop onto the board and launch a surprise attack. Your queen joins the battle, cutting off every escape route, and before your opponent can scramble to defend, it’s all over.