Novelty
A novelty is a move that has not been played before in a known position of an opening, introduced to take the opponent out of their preparation and into unexplored territory.
Also called: theoretical novelty
A novelty is a new move in a position that has already been played many times. It is a theoretical term: the move is new compared with the games and analysis available when it is played.
Players prepare novelties in advance. The aim is to reach a position where the opponent has to think for themselves while the player who has prepared already knows the main points. A good novelty is not just new; it also has to be sound, so that the new position really is at least equal for the player who played it.
Novelties are found by deep analysis, by comparing a line with the ideas of a similar position, or by checking the moves that earlier players rejected. A novelty often appears at a moment when a known idea is slightly improved, for example by changing the order of two moves.
For most players the term is mostly useful as a way to understand how theory grows. In your own games, do not try to find a novelty for its own sake. Focus on understanding the position well enough to find strong moves when the opponent leaves the known path. A typical mistake is to play a surprising move that does not hold up when the opponent answers it correctly.
A neighboring idea is Repertoire building. Repertoire building is the process of choosing a small set of openings that suit your style and then learning their ideas, typical plans and key lines well enough to play them confidently.
A neighboring idea is Out of book. A player is out of book when the game reaches a position that neither side is recalling from opening knowledge or preparation, so from that move on the choices have to be worked out at the board.
It sits close to Refutation. A refutation is a reply that shows an opening move, line or idea to be unsound by punishing it concretely, so that the side that chose it ends up worse or lost with best play.
Whether "Novelty" suits your repertoire depends on the games you play. A first lesson with George Li maps what you play today and what to build next.
Related terms
A player is out of book when the game reaches a position that neither side is recalling from opening knowledge or preparation, so from that move on the choices have to be worked out at the board.
Opening theory is the body of knowledge about the opening, made up of the known moves, plans and evaluations of the main lines that players have tested over many games.
Opening preparation is the work done before a game to know your chosen lines well, including studying your own repertoire and checking the likely choices of a specific opponent.
A refutation is a reply that shows an opening move, line or idea to be unsound by punishing it concretely, so that the side that chose it ends up worse or lost with best play.
Guides that go further
Most popular chess openings and win rates
The most played openings, how often White wins, and how the numbers change with rating, computed from public games.
What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid.
A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li.
Want to spot this in your own games?
A first lesson starts with your games: George reviews them and builds a study plan around what he finds.