Online Tool Store
Chess Opening Explorer
Search 25 named chess openings by name or ECO code and step through each one move by move on an interactive board. Copy FEN or the move list.
This works right here on your device — nothing gets sent out.
How it works
- Search for an opening by name (like "Sicilian") or ECO code (like "B20") in the search box.
- Select an opening from the list to load its standard move sequence on the board.
- Step through the moves with the navigation controls, or flip the board to see it from Black's perspective.
- Copy the current position as FEN, or copy the full move list, to use in another chess tool.
Opening names and moves are checked against Wikipedia's list of chess openings and its ECO classification, and every move sequence is verified to be a legal game using the chess.js engine.
FAQ
Where do the opening names and moves come from?
Standard chess references, primarily Wikipedia's list of chess openings with their ECO (Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings) codes. Every move sequence is also verified to be a legal game using the chess.js engine before being added.
What is an ECO code?
The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings assigns every opening a code from A00 to E99, grouped by the first moves played. A-codes are flank/irregular openings, B and C-codes are King's Pawn openings (1.e4), and D and E-codes are Queen's Pawn and Indian openings (1.d4).
Can I search by ECO code instead of name?
Yes — type a code like "B20" or "D02" into the search box and matching openings will filter instantly, the same as searching by name.
Does this show win/draw/loss statistics like a database explorer?
No — this tool shows the standard book moves for named openings with an interactive board, not live statistics from a database of played games. For that, a game-database opening explorer is a better fit.
Can I copy the position to analyze elsewhere?
Yes — "Copy FEN" copies the current board position in FEN notation, and "Copy moves" copies the opening name and its move list, both ready to paste into another chess tool.
How we compare
| Feature | Online Tool Store | Chess.lc Opening Explorer | PlyChess Opening Explorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search by name or ECO code | Yes | Yes | Not shown |
| Interactive board with move-by-move playback | Yes | Not offered — links out to a separate guide | Yes (preview stage) |
| Copy FEN and move list | Yes | Not shown | FEN only |
| No sign-up | Yes | Yes | Yes |
For seeing an opening played out on a board and searching it by name or ECO code in the same place, this covers what each of those two tools does separately.