ESTEN:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_handicap
Odds of the move: The weaker player plays White.
Two moves: The weaker player plays White and starts the game by making two moves.
Pawn and move: The weaker player plays White; a black pawn (typically that on f7) is removed from the board.
Pawn and two moves: The weaker player plays the first two moves, and Black's pawn on f7 is removed.
Knight odds: One of the stronger player's knights is removed, usually the queen knight on b1.
Rook odds: One of the stronger player's rooks is removed, usually the queen rook on a1.
Rook and pawn: The stronger player's queen rook and f-pawn are removed.
Two minor pieces: The odds-giver chooses which of their two knights and/or bishops to remove.
Rook and knight: The stronger player's queen rook and queen knight are removed.
Queen odds: The stronger player's queen is removed.
Two rooks: Both rooks of the stronger player are removed.
Strong king: The king may move up to two squares in any direction in a straight line.