King's Pawn Game

The first move that opens most of the book

Classical

1.e4 takes the centre, opens lines for the queen and the king's bishop and eyes d5 at once. The move itself has hardly any name of its own: everything depends on Black's reply, and from it grow the Sicilian, the French, the Caro–Kann, the Ruy Lopez and dozens of other openings. It is for players who want open play, quick development and tactics.

Interactive Opening Board

5…Be7

♚

Black

♔

White

5…Be7

Speed:

Moves

(10 plies • 5 moves)

5…Be7Tabiya

1–5moves
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Defining move

1.e4 — the pawn goes to the centre

The move that starts the widest tree of openings

The e4 pawn controls d5 and f5 and frees the diagonals of the queen and the king's bishop. In return it stands unprotected, and the squares d4 and f4 behind it are weakened. Black decides how to answer: with the mirror 1…e5, with the flank thrust 1…c5, or by giving White space, as in the French.

Tabiya

One possible outcome: the Ruy Lopez

This is only one branch among many, picked as an example. After 1…e5 White develops the knight to f3, and the bishop leans on the c6 knight, which guards the e5 pawn. White has castled and Black is getting ready to do the same. White wants to prepare d4 and cash in on better development; Black holds e5 and waits for a good moment for …b5 and …d6.

White’s plan

Hold the centre with the e4 and d4 pawns, if Black allows.
Develop the knights and bishops quickly and castle.
Use the open lines for an attack on the king or pressure on weak points.

Black’s plan

Contest the centre rather than hand it over: strike at it with a pawn (…e5, …c5, …d5) or with pieces.
Finish development and castle without leaving weaknesses.
Pick a reply to taste: symmetry, a counterattack or quiet defence.