White Repertoire:

Opening 1. Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon –

Maroczy Bind
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nd4 g6 5. c4

The Sicilian Defense – Accelerated Dragon is a solid opening

which leads to a somewhat positional game. Black often
employs the Hedgehog formation, avoiding the Yugoslav Attack
altogether. Kasparov is a universal player, and of course
doesn’t afraid of opening complications. This line of the Sicilian
is probably a bit more passive than 13th World Champion
would prefer. That was probably the reason why he faced it so
often. But Maroczy Bind is there to give Garry Kasparov the
play he needs.

Opening 2. Ruy Lopez: Closed Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O
Ruy Lopez is one of the most popular chess openings with the
theory developed up to move 40. White has multiple ideas in
his sleeve. One of the main ones are spoiling black’s pawn
structure or keeping the tension and provoking black into
pushing the pawns. Kasparov is excellent at understanding the
positional nuances in Ruy Lopez. He is also superb at opening
preparation. Brilliance of preparation in highly theoretical lines
gives him a stable edge.

Opening 3. Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4

This is a very flexible opening and can often lead to a sharp
game. No surprise, an attacking player like Kasparov would
love to play an opening like that!

Opening 4. Queen’s Gambit Declined

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 ed5

This opening may lead to either sharp or quiet positions.

Although, QGD usually goes towards the positional game.
Kasparov being a very versatile player doesn’t mind that at all.
Opening 5. Queen’s Indian Defense: Capablanca Variation
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. g3 b6

Queen’s Indian Defense is somewhat similar to Nimzo, it

borrows many of its plans and ideas. Kasparov doesn’t need
very sharp positions to win. He can provoke complications
without taking unnecessary risks like Alexander Alekhine did.
That and ability to attack makes Kasparov a very difficult
opponent to face. No wonder he was dominating Chess World
for over a decade.

Black Repertoire:

Opening 6. Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cd4 4. Nd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6

Kasparov’s attacking style is similar to Bobby Fischer’s. Indeed
Garry studied Fischer’s games and perhaps learned a thing or
two. Najdorf variation of the Sicilian is a very sharp opening,
and no wonder Kasparov plays it with both colors and achieves
great results.

Opening 7. King’s Indian, Samisch

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6
This is an opening that can be played in variety of ways and
against different types of opponents. Bobby Fischer himself had
hard time playing against it with white. It’s probably not the
main reason why Kasparov has won so many games here as
black, perhaps attacking players simply don’t handle it well.

Opening 8. Gruenfeld Defense

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. cxd5 Nd5 5. e4 Nc3 6. bxc3 Bg7

Grunfeld is yet another complicated attacking system, a perfect

fit for Kasparov’s tactical genius. The theory here is very well
developed, and we can only guess how many moves of the
opening preparation Kasparov keeps in his head.

Opening 9. Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6

Kasparov is known to employ this line on regular basis. “Small
center” allows for his creativity and leads to a rapid
development of pieces. That, in turn, can translate into a
devastating attack. Scheveningen is known for its counter-
attacking possibilities and that’s, perhaps, one of the main
reasons why Kasparov plays it so often.

Opening 10. English Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nf6

English is the opening that can transpose into many different
lines. Choosing to play this opening Kasparov avoids some of
most unfavorable variations and keeps his opponents guessing
about the next move. “An opponent surprised is half beaten”
may very well be applied here.

Is it a good idea for you to play these openings?