White has moved the king's pawn two squares and Black has replied in kind. The result is an Open Game. Other responses to 1.e4 are termed
Semi-Open Games or Single King's Pawn Games.
When written in lowercase, the term "open game" refers to a chess position where
ranks,
files and
diagonals are open, and tending to more
tactical gameplay. It is possible that an Open Game may lead to a
closed game.[1]
White opens by playing 1.e4, which is the most popular opening move and has many strengths – it immediately stakes a claim in the
center, and frees two pieces (the
queen and king's
bishop) for action. The oldest openings in chess follow 1.e4.
Bobby Fischer wrote that 1.e4 is "Best by test." On the negative side, 1.e4 places a
pawn on an undefended square and weakens the squares d4 and f4. If Black keeps the symmetry by replying 1...e5, the result is an Open Game (
Hooper & Whyld 1996:279) (
Watson 2006:87–90).
Variations
2.Nf3
The most popular second move for White is 2.Nf3 (the
King's Knight Opening), attacking Black's king
pawn, preparing to
castlekingside, and preparing for d2–d4.
2...Nc6
Black's most common reply to 2.Nf3 is
2...Nc6. This can lead to the
Ruy Lopez (3.Bb5), one of the most popular openings at all levels of chess, and one of the most extensively analyzed.
The
Scotch Game (3.d4) was popular in the 19th century and remains so at amateur level. After 3...exd4 White may either recapture with 4.Nxd4, usually leading to an equal game, or play the
Scotch Gambit (4.Bc4), a dangerous tactical line against an unprepared opponent.
3.Nc3 Nf6, the
Four Knights Game, was often played in the late 19th to early 20th century. Less commonly, 3....g6 or ...Bb4, (the
Three Knights Game), are possible.
The
Ponziani Opening (3.c3) has never achieved widespread popularity but is occasionally used as a surprise weapon. Other third moves for White such as the
Konstantinopolsky Opening (3.g3), and
Inverted Hungarian Opening (3.Be2) are rarely played and offer White no advantage.
Other second moves for Black
Black's most popular alternative to 2...Nc6 is
2...Nf6, usually leading to
Petrov's Defense, though White can avoid the extensive theory of the Petrov by playing 3.Nc3.
The
Philidor Defense (2...d6) has the disadvantage of restricting the mobility of Black's king's bishop, and typically leads to solid but passive positions for Black. For this reason, it largely fell out of favor by the early 20th century as Black players sought more dynamic options; however, it is still occasionally seen at grandmaster level.
The
Gunderam Defense (2...Qe7) is an offbeat choice which blocks the development of the king's bishop, and has never achieved widespread popularity.
The
Elephant Gambit (2...d5) and the
Latvian Gambit (2...f5) are considered very risky for Black, with the latter usually seen only in correspondence play. The
Damiano Defense (2...f6) may be met by either 3.Nxe5 or 3.Bc4 with advantage and is almost never seen.
Other second moves for White
The most popular alternatives to 2.Nf3 are 2.f4 (the
King's Gambit), 2.Nc3 (the
Vienna Game), and 2.Bc4 (the
Bishop's Opening). These three openings have some similarities; some of the quieter lines in the Vienna and Bishop's Opening can
transpose to positional variations of the King's Gambit Declined, when White plays f2–f4 before playing Nf3. The King's Gambit was popular in the nineteenth century with grandmaster and amateur alike. White offers a pawn for speedy development, as well as to attack Black's central outpost. The Vienna Game also frequently features attacks on the Black center by means of f2–f4.
In the
Center Game (2.d4), White immediately opens the center, though if the pawn is to be recovered after 2...exd4, White must prematurely develop their queen. An alternative is to
sacrifice one or two pawns by offering the
Danish Gambit (3.c3).
The early development of the queen in the
Danvers Opening, also known as the
Parham Attack (2.Qh5), is usually played only by amateurs, though
Hikaru Nakamura has experimented with it in grandmaster tournaments and was able to achieve a reasonable position.[2][3] The
Napoleon Opening, 2.Qf3, has even less to recommend it as Black can easily block any mating threats without compromising their development. The
Portuguese Opening (2.Bb5) and
Alapin's Opening (2.Ne2) are offbeat tries for White, but neither gain any advantage against correct play. The
Bongcloud Attack (2.Ke2) is considered a joke opening.
Bologan, Victor (October 2014). Bologan's black weapons in the open games : how to play for a win If white avoids the Ruy Lopez. Alkmaar, The Netherlands.
ISBN9789056915438.
OCLC878505291.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link)
Davies, Nigel, 1960- (2005). Play 1e4 e5! : a complete repertoire for Black in the open game. London: Everyman Chess.
ISBN1857444019.
OCLC71338396.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)
Emms, John. (2000). Play the open games as Black : what to do when White avoids the Ruy Lopez. London: Gambit.
ISBN1901983277.
OCLC45466779.
Lokander, Martin (7 January 2016). Opening repertoire : the open games with black. London.
ISBN9781781941942.
OCLC922562228.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link)