What is Repertoire in chess?
The set of openings a player has prepared and regularly plays.
Building a repertoire means choosing specific responses to 1.e4, 1.d4, and other first moves, and learning the main plans and ideas in those lines. A consistent repertoire helps you spend study time efficiently.
Spot repertoire in your own games
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Analyze my games →More chess terms
- 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.
- Kingside castlingCastling toward the h-file, also written O-O, moving the king to g1 (or g8).