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King Pawn Openings Part 1 PDF
King Pawn Openings Part 1 PDF
e4)
1.e4
King pawn openings are generally open games (i.e., a game characterized by many open lines and
largely clear of obstructing pawns) that have active play where the players tend to “slug it out.”
Why White Played 1.e4:
1. The pawn on e4 controls central square d5
2. The move frees the Queen and Bishop on f1.
White’s Basic Goals:
1. Rapid development of pieces.
2. Control the Center.
3. Play d4 when possible
4. Castle quickly
5. Attack enemy King (usually king side) ASAP
Black can response in many ways to 1.e4, and his first move indicates Black’s general plan of how he
plans on handling White’s basic goals.
Black First Move Black’s General Plan
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The Italian Game
The Italian Game is one of the oldest recorded chess opening, and the game defining move is 3.Bc4 (the
so-called "Italian bishop") in preparation for an early attack on Black’s vulnerable f7 square. The term
“Italian Game” is now used interchangeably with Giuoco Piano, though that term technically refers to a
game after Black plays 3…Bc5. The Italian Game is usually characterized by aggressive play from both
White and Black.
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Italian Game Variations*:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
* Percentages are from a database of approximately 1,200,000 master level games. The shown continuations are the commonly
layed moves from the database games. All variations not shown.
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Ruy Lopez (The Spanish Game)
The Ruy Lopez, also called the Spanish Game, is named after a 16th century Spanish priest who
systematically studied the opening (and others) in 1561. The opening, however, did not come to
prominence until about 1850. The Ruy Lopez has more than 30 named “lines” of which the “Closed
Defense” (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7) and associated subvariations account for
approximately 52% of all Ruy Lopez games.
The Ruy Lopez is a very popular opening, and it accounts for almost 46% of all master level games that
start with 1.e4 e5 and for about 62% of all master level games that start with 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6.
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Ruy Lopez Variations:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
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French Defense:
1.e4 e6 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
(Approx. 87% of French Defense Games)
The French Defense is named after a correspondence match played between the cities of London and
Paris in 1834; however, earlier games with the opening moves do exist. The French Defense is actually
a game for control of the d4 and e5 squares.
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French Defense Variations:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
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King Pawn Opening Variation Summary:
French Defense:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
Opening Moves Variation Name
3.Nc3 Bb4 Winawer
3.Nc3 Nf6 Classical
3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Rubenstein
3.Nd2 Nf6 Closed Tarrasch
3.Nd2 c5 Open Tarrasch
3.e5 Advanced
3.exd5 Exchange
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