Open Game
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| Moves | 1.e4 e5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ECO | C20–C99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | King's Pawn Game | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Synonyms |
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An Open Game (or Double King's Pawn Opening) is a generic term for a family of chess openings beginning with the moves:
Black controls the d4-square in the center and maintains symmetry. 1.e4 e5 gives rise to many of the oldest and most deeply analyzed openings in the game. Play most commonly continues 2.Nf3 Nc6, leading to the Ruy Lopez (3.Bb5), Italian Game (3.Bc4), Scotch Game (3.d4), and others. Black's most important alternative to 2...Nc6 is 2...Nf6, Petrov's Defense. Other Open Games include the King's Gambit (2.f4) and Vienna Game (2.Nc3).
After having been the most common pair of opening moves until the 20th century, 1...e5 remains the second most popular response to White's first move 1.e4 (1...c5 is slightly more popular among tournament players). Other responses to 1.e4 are termed Semi-Open Games or Single King's Pawn Games. When written in lowercase, the term "open game" refers to a chess position where ranks, files and diagonals are open, and tending to more tactical gameplay. It is possible that an Open Game may lead to a closed game.