Bird's Opening: Practice thechesswebsite's Video Move by Move

Name: Chess Openings- Birds Opening
Uploaded: 2009-11-08
Duration: 8 min 54 s
Channel: thechesswebsite
Description: thechesswebsite explains the Bird's Opening. In the Bird's, control dark squares with Nf3, e3, and Bb2, and castle early to secure your king.

From thechesswebsite's video. You play White. In the Bird's, control dark squares with Nf3, e3, and Bb2, and castle early to secure your king.

The line

1. f4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 c5 4. Be2 Nc6 5. O-O e6 6. b3 Be7 7. Bb2 O-O

Your moves, explained

1. f4 Stakes a claim on e5 and signals a dark-square battle ahead.
2. Nf3 Two pieces now attack the key dark squares in the center.
3. e3 Adds another defender to d4 while freeing your bishop.
4. Be2 Supports the knight and clears the back rank.
5. O-O King reaches safety and the rook becomes active on the f-file.
6. b3 Sets up the most important piece of the whole setup.
7. Bb2 Now Nf3, e3, f4, and Bb2 all bear on d4 and e5, owning the dark squares.

Key moments in the video

0:21 Bird's first move
1:51 Knight eyes d4, e5
3:30 Reinforce dark squares
4:15 Develop, ready castle
5:45 King to safety
6:20 Fianchetto prep
6:30 Bishop owns diagonal

Want the theory behind it? Read our Bird's Opening guide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Bird's Opening?

1. f4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. e3 c5 4. Be2 Nc6 5. O-O e6 6. b3 Be7 7. Bb2 O-O. You play White; In the Bird's, control dark squares with Nf3, e3, and Bb2, and castle early to secure your king.

How do I practise the Bird's Opening?

Watch thechesswebsite's video, then play the line yourself on the board on this page. You make all 7 of White's moves; a wrong move is undone with a hint, and the key moments jump the video to where thechesswebsite explains each move.

Do I need an account?

No. The practice is free and runs in your browser. Sign up only if you want Chess DNA to find the openings that lose you games in your own Chess.com or Lichess history.

Practice the Bird's Opening