Clemenz Opening
ECO A00 · Clemenz Opening
The Clemenz Opening (A00) is a chess opening in the Clemenz Opening family, played by White. It arises after the moves 1. h3.
Moves: 1. h3
About this opening
With 1.h3 White plays a waiting move that helps neither the center nor development: the Clemenz Opening relies on transposition, the h3-square at most preventing a pin with Bg4. Black takes the initiative with 1...e5 or 1...d5 and natural development. The continuation 1...e5 2.a3 is catalogued as the Global Opening. Named after the Estonian player Hermann Clemenz, it is best kept for fast time controls — at classical pace the lost tempo tells.