Chess openings involving e4 square
Chess opening involving the e4 square is by far the most favored move among the chess players – irrespective of their level of skill in the game.
Based on white’s first move to e4, chess games can be classified into two broad categories
- 1.Open games
- 2.Semi-open games
Before dwelling further on the open games and semi-open games, let us try to understand the importance of making e4 as the first move by White.
In the game of chess, according to the classical opening principles of the game, controlling the center of the board is of paramount importance. Of all the sixty-four squares in the board, the four squares in the center of the board, especially the squares of e4, e5, d4 andd5 assume importance, as they are part of the center of the board.
The opening move of e4 by the White pawn is the preferred one among the openings, primarily for the reason that a part of the center of the board can be controlled.
Having a share in the control over the center of the board is not the only reason for opting the e4 square for the chess opening. It has other advantages as well. The white pawn placed in front of the King at e2 is moved two squares to e4. This move instantly paves way for the light-squared white bishop placed at f1 to use the diagonal f1-a6.
The White queen placed at d1 will also be opened up to use the diagonal d1-h5 as a result of the movement of the pawn at e2 to e4.
The pawn itself at e4 can have effective control over the d5 square and the f5 square.
If the black responds with a move of its king pawn to e5 square, the unfolding game is referred to as an Open Game.
In an Open Game, black opts to avail the benefits of opening up its dark-squared bishop and the Queen apart from having a share in the center of the board, and as such moves its King pawn two squares forward to e5.
Here, the Black’s dark-squared bishop stationed at f8 can be opened up to access the f8-a3 diagonal and the black queen at d8 can be opened up to use the d8-h4 diagonal. Also, the black pawn at e5 can exercise control over the d4 and f4 squares.
If black does not move its King pawn two squares forward to e5 square in response to White’s move of pawn to e4, and instead prefers to move any other piece, then the unfolding game is referred to as a Semi-Open Game.
Chess openings involving e4 that lead to an Open Game are further categorized under the following types:
- a.Spanish opening (or) Ruy Lopez opening
- b.Italian Game (or) Guioco Piano opening
- c.Evans Gambit
- d.Two Knights defense
- e.Scotch Game
- f.Four Knights game
- g.Petroff Defense
- h.King’s Gambit
- i.Vienna Game
- j.Philidor’s Defense
- k.Danish Gambit
Chess openings involving e4 that lead to a semi-open game are further categorized under the following types:
- a.Sicilian Defense
- b.French Defense
- c.Caro-Kann Defense
- d.Alekhine’s Defense
- e.Pirc Defense
Let us explore the various openings and their innumerable variations in a series of articles in the days to come.
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