King’s Pawn Opening
The King’s Pawn Opening is the most popular choice of competitive players because it controls the center, opens lines for both the Queen and the Bishop, and usually leads to an open game, where pawn structures are less solid and more dynamic play occurs.
Under the King’s Pawn Opening umbrella, there are a variety of specific openings, each with its own strategies, tactics, and goals. These include:
- The Italian Game
- The Sicilian Defense
- The French Defense
- The Caro-Kann Defense
- The Pirc Defense
- The Alekhine Defense
- The Scandinavian Defense
- The Ruy-Lopez
Each of these specific openings can also have several variations. The choice of opening and variation can greatly influence the character of the following game, so players often choose their opening based on their preferred style of play and their preparation.
King’s Pawn Opening (1.e4)
This is simply the move where White moves their King’s Pawn 2 spaces forward.
Each of these openings have numerous sub-variations and move orders, but the descriptions below should give you a solid starting point. It’s also worth noting that many openings are named after the players who popularized them or the region where they were first played.
Italian Game
This sequence of moves is characterized by the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4, where White and Black aim to control the center quickly with their pawns and then deploy their knights.
Two Knights Defense
This is a variation of the Italian Game, characterized by 3…Nf6, where Black aims to attack White’s central e4 pawn.
Giuoco Piano
Another variation of the Italian Game, it’s characterized by 3…Bc5, where Black’s goal is to put the bishop on its most dangerous square.
Sicilian Defense
This defense is initiated with 1.e4 c5. It’s known for creating asymmetrical positions.
Open Sicilian
This illustrates the Open Sicilian where White opens the center with 2.Nf3 and 3.d4, after which Black generally captures the d4 pawn with the c5 pawn. Afterwards, White recaptures the pawn with the knight, arriving at the position illustrated by this PGN.
The second move for Black can vary widely (2…d6, 2…Nc6, 2…e6, etc.), but 2…d6 is one of the most common responses, preparing to support the center pawn at e5. This represents just one possibility in the complex and rich body of opening theory that is the Open Sicilian.
Closed Sicilian
The Closed Sicilian, also known as the Closed Variation of the Sicilian Defense, is characterized by the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 and 3.g3. After the common opening moves, White often follows a general plan of developing their knight to c3, moving their pawn to g3, fianchettoing their bishop, and then castling. The exact move order can vary, and Black’s responses also play a big role in how the game develops.
Do note that the moves for Black are not shown in this as it’s generally White’s moves that define the opening. But Black’s response to 1.e4 c5 can widely vary, for instance, 2…Nc6, 2…d6, 2…e6, and so on. This indicates the general direction of the Closed Sicilian.
Najdorf Variation
The Najdorf Variation begins with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6. The a6 move is a flexible response by Black that prepares to expand on the queenside and keeps options open for pawn structures. The Najdorf Variation is one of the most popular lines of the Sicilian Defense and has been played by many world champions.
Scheveningen Variation
The Scheveningen Variation begins with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 d6. Here, Black allows White to establish a central pawn duo (e4 and d4) while developing the knight and setting up a flexible pawn structure for Black. It’s named after a Dutch seaside town where an important early tournament featuring this system was held.
Dragon Variation
The Dragon Variation begins with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6. This line is known for its sharp, tactical play and the unique pawn structure, which somewhat resembles the shape of a dragon. The Dragon Variation is very tactical, requiring precise play from both sides.
Classical Variation
Sicilian Defense
The Classical Variation begins with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6. Black aims to control the center and prepare for a potential d5 pawn break. The Classical Variation is not as sharp as some other Sicilian lines, but it still offers dynamic play with chances for both sides.
French Defense
The French Defense is a chess opening characterized by the moves 1.e4 e6. Black’s idea is to let White occupy the center with d2-d4, which can then potentially be attacked and undermined. This opening leads to closed positions and complex pawn structures, so a good understanding of pawn structures and positional play is useful.
Classical Variation
The Classical Variation (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6) is one of the oldest and most respected lines against the French Defense. Black immediately challenges White’s pawn on e4 and looks to exchange in the center of the board.
Winawer Variation
The Winawer Variation (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4) is a very sharp line in the French Defense. By pinning the knight on c3, Black puts immediate pressure on White’s center and makes it more difficult for White to maintain their pawn on e4.
Tarrasch Variation
The Tarrasch Variation (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2) aims to support the pawn on e4 without blocking in the c1-bishop. The game can become very complex if Black tries to exploit the slightly awkward placement of the knight on d2.
Caro-Kann Defense
The Caro-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6) is a sturdy, reliable defensive setup for Black. Rather than engaging it head-on, it aims to undermine White’s center from the sides. Its main idea is to challenge the e4 pawn with 2…d5 on the next move.
Classical Variation
The Classical Variation begins with 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5. It’s called the “Classical Variation” because it was the main line of the Caro-Kann for many years. In this line, Black allows White to establish a strong pawn center with pawns on e4 and d4, but then immediately challenges the center with 1…c6 and 2…d5. The Classical Variation is known for being solid and tough to crack, but it can also lead to very sharp play.
Advanced Variation
The Advanced Variation begins with 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5. In this line, White seeks to gain space in the center by advancing the e-pawn, challenging Black to find a successful plan of counterattack. The Advanced Variation can lead to complex positions where White has more space, but Black has counterplay.
Exchange Variation
The Exchange Variation begins with 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5. In this variation, White chooses to immediately exchange on d5, simplifying the position. The Exchange Variation is seen as a less ambitious choice by White, often leading to symmetrical pawn structures. However, it’s straightforward and less risky than other lines, making it a popular choice at the club level.
Pirc Defense
The Pirc Defense (1.e4 d6) is a hypermodern opening, meaning that it doesn’t try to control the center early on with its pawns. Instead, it focuses on letting the opponent occupy the center, then attempts to undermine it.
Alekhine Defense
The Alekhine Defense (1.e4 Nf6) is another hypermodern opening where Black tempts White to overextend their position in an attempt to later undermine it.
Scandinavian Defense
or Center Counter Defense
The Scandinavian Defense is characterized by 1.e4 d5. Black immediately challenges White’s control of the center.
Ruy-Lopez
Spanish Game
The Ruy-Lopez is a classic opening characterized by the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5. It’s one of the oldest and most classic of all openings, aiming to put pressure on the center and prepare for castling to safety.