Lesson focus: building a playable repertoire

Openings are not about memorizing 30 moves. They are about knowing your plans after the first development. This lesson walks through a simple framework you can reuse for any opening you store in ChessMo.

Step 1: Define your target pawn structure

Ask: do I want open lines, a closed center, or a queenside majority? Write one sentence before you add PGN lines to your repertoire.

Step 2: Learn the first 6–8 moves with purpose

For each move, note why it is played (develop, fight for center, prepare castling). Practice on ChessMo until the sequence feels natural.

Step 3: Know one backup plan

If your main line is avoided, have a simple alternative, often a different knight route or an early …c5 / …e5 break for Black.

Homework (15 minutes)

  1. Pick one opening family you already play.
  2. Add or update its PGN in ChessMo.
  3. Play three training games as that color and log one mistake to fix next session.