What is Novelty in chess?
A new, previously unplayed move in a known opening line.
Novelties are prepared by players who want to take opponents out of their memorised theory early. A strong novelty can win quickly; a bad one can backfire just as fast.
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Analyze my games →More chess terms
- RepertoireThe set of openings a player has prepared and regularly plays.
- Main lineThe most theoretically important and commonly played continuation in an opening.
- SidelineA less common opening variation that deviates from the most popular main line.
- Development leadHaving more pieces developed (off the back rank) than the opponent.
- En passantA special pawn capture of a pawn that just advanced two squares.
- CastlingA move that tucks your king to safety and activates a rook.