Learning Chess: An Opening Survey, Part 1 (1. E4 E5)

After learning the most basic opening principles - development, control of the center, and king safety - most players quickly move on to learning specific opening lines. The first openings most are taught to play are classical king pawn openings - those that begin with 1. e4 e5.

To be honest, specific opening lines are not a very important area for a novice player to study. General opening principles are enough for quite some time, at least until a player becomes a moderately strong tournament player.

However, it doesn't hurt to have an idea of what kind of openings are out there, or to find openings that tend to lead to the type of middlegames you enjoy.

In general, games that begin with 1. e4 e5 tend to be open, combative affairs. Neither player will have much trouble finding open lines for their pieces, and the center is unlikely to be locked. Gambits are common, as are fast attacks and tactical shots. If you like living on the edge, and can't stand the slow buildup that often marks the queen pawn openings, 1. e4 is probably the best opening move for you as white!

Here are some of the most common 1. e4 e5 openings you can expect to see.

King's Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. f4

The King's Gambit was tremendously popular in the 1800s, but is rarely seen in top level play today. Nonetheless, it is common at lower levels, and it's perfectly fine for white; it is simply unlikely to earn a large advantage for the first player if black plays properly. Black can accept the gambit with exf4, or decline it with Bc5. Both lead to interesting and open games. Even more exciting is the Falkbeer Counter-Gambit, where black plays 2. ... d5, offering a pawn of his own.

Petroff Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6

Once seen as a shortcut to learning opening theory, the Petroff is now a popular opening for black at every level. It's solid, although a bit drawish, especially when used by skilled players. Black needs to be careful early, as there are several traps that can cost him material.

Italian Game

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4

The Italian Game is one of the most popular openings among amateur players. White puts his king's bishop on a useful diagonal, and this can often lead to dramatic attacks - and even sacrifices! - on the f7 square. If black defends with Bc5, the opening becomes the Giuoco Piano (Quiet Game); with Nf6, black employs the dynamic Two Knights defense.

Scotch Game

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4

White chooses to immediately fight for the center with pawns in this combative opening. It has been popularized in recent years by none other than Garry Kasparov, and can lead to either quiet middlegames or tactical complications.

Ruy Lopez

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings in chess, as well as one of the most common. White immediately attacks the knight on c6, threatening to eliminate it and then capture the pawn on e5. It's important to note that this simple plan usually doesn't work; for instance, after:

3. ... a6 4. Bxc6 dxc6 5. Nxe5 Qd4!

Black will recapture the pawn with a solid position. The Ruy Lopez has many well-analyzed variations, and is rich in both tactics and strategy for both sides.

While there are many other possible openings even after 1. e4 e5, these are the most common, essential openings you'll run into. If you find that one is to your liking, there are numerous websites and books devoted to chess openings, with which you can slowly gain the knowledge needed to play an opening with confidence.