Chess Patterns ❯ Types of Opening ❯ King's Pawn Opening
King's Pawn Opening
King's Pawn Opening
The chess openings that begin with 1.e4 are known as King's Pawn Openings. Advancing the King's pawn two squares is one of the most popular opening moves, as it aims to control the center and open lines for the Queen and Bishop.
The most common continuations are the Sicilian Defense (1...c5, the most aggressive and popular reply), the Open Game (1...e5, a classical response), the French Defense (1...e6, counter-attacking the center), the Caro-Kann Defense (1...c6, preparing a solid pawn structure), the Pirc Defense (1...d6, allowing White to get the center), the Modern Defense (1...g6, controlling the center from afar), the Scandinavian Defense (1...d5, immediately confronting the center) and the Alekhine's Defense (1...Nf6, encouraging White to overextend).
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Designed with Love in Italy
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Master the King's Pawn Openings
When we started adding a playful touch to chess learning, we looked through thousands of videos and hundreds of books to find the best resources out there. Here's our curated selection of the best content we encountered on King's Pawn Openings. We also included some smaller creators who are growing fast and we believe deserve your attention. Check out these resources if you want to master this type of openings.
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A short overview by chess.com of the most important Opening Principles and why 1.e4 is a great starting move. Ideal for all beginners.
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ALL 45 DEFENSES VS. E4 RANKED (Tier List)
A super-fun video by Volclus where ALL defenses against 1.e4 are ranked from worst to best.
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How to CRUSH with 1.e4 | Chess Lesson with Hannah Sayce
This video by Eric Rosen is an extensive and enjoyable exploration of the most important continuations for White after 1.e4. If you are an intermediate player, don’t skip this.
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Very accessible coverage by Yasser Seirawan of all major openings (1.e4 included). From beginner to intermediate level.
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Mastering the Chess Openings, Volume 1*
Get this wonderful book by John Watson if you want to know THE IDEAS behind 1. e4. Ideal for beginners and intermediates.