Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5

1...e5 · Open Game
1...e5, the Open Game (or Double King's Pawn Game), is Black's classical response to 1. e4. By mirroring White's move, Black grabs an equal share of the centre and scope to develop some pieces. 1...e5 is one of the few moves that directly interferes with White's ideal plan of playing d4.

But, the move's merit is also a drawback: the longer the position remains symmetrical, the longer White will have an advantage by moving first. Also, the pawn on e5 is undefended, and it is easy for White to develop in a way that restricts Black's possible responses, by simply threatening to capture it.

Though the move is still common at every level, it saw a modest decline in popularity during the 20th century.

White's responses
The overwhelmingly popular move here – about 10 times more common than everything else combined – is 2. Nf3.

This threatens Black's undefended pawn while developing a piece in preparation for castling on the kingside. The developed knight also defends the d4 square preparing for a future d2-d4 pawn push.

2. Bc4, the Bishop's Opening, and 2. Nc3, the Vienna Game, are simple alternative ways of developing a piece.

They don't give Black a particular problem to deal with, but they aren't bad moves either, and they keep open the option of either d4 or f4.

Another plan is to try and lever open the f-file for an attack on Black's weak f7 point with 2. f4, the King's Gambit.

This was popular in Victorian times and earlier, but Black has now found a few reliable ways of grabbing the proffered pawn and keeping it.

Or, White can smash the centre open with 2. d4 in order to develop pieces with great speed, sacrificing a pawn or two if necessary.

Less common responses
Other less common moves:


 * 2. d3 - Indian Opening
 * 2. Qh5 - Parham Attack
 * 2. Qf3 - Napoleon Opening
 * 2. c3 - Centre Pawn Opening
 * 2. Bb5 - Portuguese Opening
 * 2. Ne2 - Alapin's Opening
 * 2. g4 - Fernando Torres Variation
 * 2. Ke2? - Bongcloud Attack
 * 2. b3!? - Charles' Opening
 * 2. Qg4? - Speers Attack

Statistics

 * Approximate chances
 * White win 51%, Draw ??%, Black win 45%.


 * Estimated next move popularity:
 * Nf3 82%, Bc4 5%, Nc3 4%, f4 4%, d4 2%, all others less than 1%

Theory table
1. e4 e5