Irregular Chess Openings: what are they and how to respond?
Has anyone ever played 1.b4 against you and left you staring at the board not knowing what to do? Welcome to the world of irregular openings.
An irregular opening is any first move by White that steps outside the big four: 1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4 and 1.Nf3. The goal isn’t necessarily to get the best theoretical position, but to take you out of your preparation from the very first instant.
Do they work? At amateur level, a lot. At grandmaster level, they’re a tactical rarity, not a first choice. But in Sunday club games, they can be devastating if you don’t know how to respond to them.
Let’s look at the most popular ones: Bird’s Opening (1.f4), the Larsen System (1.b3), the Sokolsky or Orangutan Opening (1.b4) and other curiosities like the Grob Opening (1.g4). I’ll explain what each one is after and how to respond solidly.
Preguntas frecuentes
What are irregular openings in chess?
They are openings that don't start with the most common moves (1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4 or 1.Nf3). They include moves like 1.b4 (Sokolsky or Orangutan Opening), 1.f4 (Bird's Opening), 1.b3 (Larsen System), 1.g4 (Grob Opening) and other oddities that aim to divert the opponent from their usual preparation.
Are irregular openings good?
They're not objectively the best moves, but they have practical value: by stepping outside main lines, the opponent can't use their preparation. At amateur level they're very effective. At grandmaster level they're a tactical rarity, not a first choice.
How do you respond to an irregular opening?
Apply basic opening principles: occupy the center with your pawns (e4/d4 or e5/d5), develop your knights and bishops quickly and castle. Don't try to 'punish' an irregular opening with aggressive moves you don't know — play solid and you'll have an advantage in the middlegame.