Game 14, December 2024. Ding Liren had White, and he chose a quiet setup. Gukesh won anyway and became the youngest undisputed world champion. Every game in that match started with an opening you can learn today. These are the chess openings every beginner should learn from the world championship, and they’re easier than you’d think. For more on the next title match, see how Sindarov won the Candidates unbeaten.
Why Beginners Should Study Championship Openings
An opening is just the first ten or so moves. Its job is simple: control the center, develop your pieces and keep your king safe. Top players choose openings that serve those goals. That’s why their choices make good teaching material. Besides, you don’t need to memorize long lines to learn from them.
The 2024 match between Ding and Gukesh gave fans a wide range. It covered quiet lines, sharp ideas and surprises. Because of this, it works as a small library of beginner-friendly ideas. The five openings below all appeared in that match or in recent elite play. We’ll keep each one simple.
1. The Queen’s Gambit Declined
This is the opening that won Gukesh the third game. After 1.d4 d5 2.c4, Black plays 2…e6 and “declines” the pawn offer. The idea is solid and safe. In game three, both players followed the Exchange Variation, and Gukesh won in 37 moves. It was his first classical win against Ding.
Why beginners like it: the pawn structure is clear. You always know where your pieces belong. Even better, the Queen’s Gambit Declined appears constantly at the top level. At the 2026 Candidates, Praggnanandhaa and Nakamura played a 5.Bf4 line of it. Learn the basic setup first, then add details later.
2. The Catalan Opening
The Catalan starts with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3. White places a bishop on the long diagonal, aimed at the center. Gukesh chose it in game nine with the White pieces. He pressed early, but Ding defended well and the game ended in a draw after 54 moves. The result wasn’t exciting, yet the opening was.
The Catalan teaches patience. You build pressure slowly instead of attacking right away. In game 14, Ding had White and used a reversed Grunfeld or Catalan style setup. That shows how flexible these ideas can be. As a beginner, you’ll learn how a fianchettoed bishop can dominate a game.
3. The London System
The London is the friendliest opening on this list. White plays 1.d4, then 2.Bf4, and builds a compact setup with e3 and Nf3. The same moves work against many replies. So you spend less time memorizing and more time playing.
Ding chose a London in game 10, and the game turned into a Queen’s Gambit Declined. It ended in a quick draw. Carlsen, meanwhile, used the sharper Jobava London against Gukesh at Norway Chess 2025, according to reports. Both versions share the same core ideas. The London’s simplicity is its biggest strength for new players.
4. The Reti Opening
The Reti begins with 1.Nf3, and White delays the central pawn moves. Instead, the pieces do the early work. Game 11 featured a Reti with a reversed Blumenfeld idea, and Gukesh won on 8 December 2024. That victory put him ahead in the match.
Ding used a Reti setup with a kingside fianchetto in game 12. He beat Gukesh and tied the match at 6-6. So the opening helped win games for both players. For beginners, the Reti is a lesson in flexibility. You decide your plan after seeing how your opponent develops.
5. The French Defense
Everything so far starts with 1.d4 or 1.Nf3. Here’s one for 1.e4 players. After 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5, Black builds a sturdy pawn chain. Game 13 of the match featured the French Defense, and it ended in a draw.
The French is solid but not passive. Black accepts a slightly cramped position in exchange for a safe structure. The Exchange Variation, which simplifies the center, also shows up in elite play. If you like counterattacking chess, give it a try. It’s one of the best answers to 1.e4 for new players.
What the Match Taught Us About Openings
Not every opening has to be sharp. In game 10, Ding’s London led to a draw almost immediately. In game three, a simple Exchange Variation produced a win. So an opening’s name doesn’t decide the result. The middlegame and endgame do.
That said, openings still matter. They set the tone and decide which positions you’ll face. Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose:
- Want a safe setup: London System or Queen’s Gambit Declined
- Want slow pressure: Catalan
- Want flexibility: Reti Opening
- Want a solid reply to 1.e4: French Defense
Why Openings Feel Different at the Top
At the elite level, players spend months preparing. They arrive with ideas that engines have checked deeply, and they hope the opponent hasn’t seen them. In game three, for example, Gukesh’s unusual seventh move pushed Ding out of his preparation. That’s the point of preparation: to create problems early.
Beginners don’t need that depth. Still, the lesson applies at every level. Know your opening well enough that you aren’t surprised by the first few replies. Even a little preparation gives you more time on the clock later, and time is a real resource in any game.
Common Mistakes in the Opening
Most beginners lose games in the first ten moves for the same few reasons. They move the same piece twice, bring the queen out too early or forget to castle. Because of this, even a simple opening can fall apart. Champions avoid these errors without thinking about it.
Here’s what to remember in every opening:
- Fight for the center with pawns and pieces
- Develop your knights and bishops before anything else
- Castle early to protect your king
- Don’t grab pawns if it delays your development
A Simple Plan for White and Black
As White, pick one setup and stick with it. The London System or the Catalan both work, because the plans stay similar from game to game. As Black, answer 1.d4 with the Queen’s Gambit Declined and answer 1.e4 with the French Defense. That gives you two clear replies.
Of course, your opponents won’t always follow the book. That’s fine. When they leave it, fall back on the basics above. Over time, you’ll recognize patterns, and the ideas will matter more than the exact moves.
How to Practice These Openings
Start with one opening as White and one as Black. Play at least twenty games with each before switching. Review your losses and look for patterns. Most beginners lose pieces to simple tactics, not to opening theory.
Here are three practical steps:
- Learn the first four or five moves and the ideas behind them
- Play online games and note where you leave the book
- Watch grandmaster games in the same opening
You can also follow the next world championship for ideas. Gukesh and Sindarov play 14 classical games in Geneva starting 24 November 2026. Watch the first ten moves of each game, and ask what each player is trying to achieve. For a look at who else shapes the elite scene, read about the top 10 chess players in the world right now.
The Players Behind the Openings
Gukesh is 20, and Sindarov is 20. Between them, they’ve shown very different styles. Gukesh likes 1.d4 as his main weapon, and he’s played most major openings over his career. Sindarov’s Candidates win was built on being well prepared and quick in his decisions. That mix of preparation and speed is something beginners can copy too.
Even Carlsen uses openings as a psychological tool. His Jobava London against Gukesh in 2025 was meant to take his opponent out of preparation, according to reports. If you’d like to read more about their rivalry, check Magnus Carlsen vs Gukesh: who is the better player today. It covers their recent games.
Key Takeaways
- Queen’s Gambit Declined: a safe, classic setup that won Gukesh game three in 2024.
- Catalan: a slow-pressure opening used in game nine and echoed in game 14.
- London System: an easy-to-learn setup that Ding played in game 10.
- Reti Opening: a flexible start that produced wins in games 11 and 12.
- French Defense: a solid reply to 1.e4 that appeared in game 13.
FAQs
What is the best opening for beginners?
The London System is often recommended because it uses the same setup against many replies.
Which opening did Gukesh win game three with?
Gukesh won game three of the 2024 match in the Queen’s Gambit Declined, Exchange Variation.
Did the 2024 world championship include the French Defense?
Yes, game 13 featured the French Defense and ended in a draw.
Do I need to memorize long lines?
No, beginners should focus on the first few moves and the ideas behind them.
When does the next world championship start?
Game one between Gukesh and Sindarov is scheduled for 24 November 2026 in Geneva.
Conclusion
The best chess openings every beginner should learn are the ones that champions already trust. The Queen’s Gambit Declined, Catalan, London, Reti and French all appeared in the 2024 world championship. Learn the ideas first, then add details. Watch the next match with these five openings in mind, and you’ll understand more of what you see.