The standard safe ZvZ opening. Build a spawning pool at 9 supply and research metabolic boost (zergling speed) as soon as the pool finishes. This timing is late enough to get a few extra drones for economy but early enough to have zerglings ready to defend any cheese or early aggression.

The key advantage is speed zerglings — they outrun slow zerglings, giving you scouting, map control, and the ability to chase down opponent's units. Use your initial speed zerglings to scout the opponent's base and control watchtowers. Avoid committing to fights against sunken colonies.

9 Pool Speed works on every ZvZ map and is the go-to opening for players who want a solid, adaptable game. It defends against 5 pool and other cheese while maintaining a reasonable economy. Transition by expanding behind zergling map control, then tech into mutalisks or hydralisks depending on what your opponent is doing. Weak against faster pool builds only if you fail to micro your speed advantage — the speed upgrade should compensate for being slightly later to the fight.