Semi-open games

King's Pawn Game

1.e4

The King's Pawn Game starts with 1.e4 and is catalogued under ECO B00, in the semi-open games half of the book. The catalog indexes 38 lines inside it, grouped into 35 named variations, and the position after those moves has 6 playable continuations to walk from here.

Opening repertoire map

Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.

Current position
Philidor Defense
Popularity by Elo
Share of Lichess blitz, rapid, and classical games that continued with each move.
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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.e4

    Claims the center with a pawn and opens lines for the queen and king’s bishop.

    Idea: Build quick development and make early castling possible.

  2. 1…e5

    Meets White’s center directly and opens lines for Black’s queen and bishop.

    Idea: Fight for equal central space in a balanced, open position.

  3. 2.Nf3

    Develops the king’s knight and attacks Black’s e5-pawn.

    Idea: Increase central pressure while getting ready to castle.

  4. 2…d6

    Advances to d6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  5. 3.d4

    Advances to d4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

6 moves
Nf6Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation11 named lines · Philidor Defense: Lion Variation · Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing LineDevelops the knight to f6, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Nd7Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation8 named lines · Philidor Defense: Hanham, Kmoch Variation · Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Shirov GambitDevelops the knight to d7, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.exd4Philidor Defense: Exchange Variation7 named lines · Philidor Defense: Bird Gambit · Philidor Defense: Morphy GambitCaptures the pawn on d4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.f5Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit5 named lines · Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, del Rio Attack · Philidor Defense: Lopez Countergambit, Jaenisch VariationAdvances the f-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.Bd7Philidor Defense: Philidor Gambit1 named lineDevelops the bishop to d7, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Bg4Philidor Defense1 named line · Philidor Defense: Albin-Blackburne GambitDevelops the bishop to g4, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under King's Pawn Game. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

11 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.

Openings from the same volume

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the King's Pawn Game.