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.

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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. 1e5

    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.f4

    Advances the f-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  4. 2exf4

    Captures the pawn on f4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Open lines in the kingside and reshape the center for the next phase.

  5. 3.Nf3

    Develops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  6. 3g5

    Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Prepare a fianchetto or discourage the opponent’s expansion on that wing.

  7. 4.Bc4

    Develops the bishop to c4, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  8. 4g4

    Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

  9. 5.O-O

    Tucks the king away and activates the rook in a single move.

    Idea: Finish kingside development so the central pieces can coordinate safely.

  10. 5gxf3

    Captures the knight on f3 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Open lines in the kingside and reshape the center for the next phase.

  11. 6.Qxf3

    Captures the pawn on f3 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.

  12. 6Qf6

    Repositions the queen to f6, where it influences a new part of the board.

    Idea: Coordinate threats carefully while avoiding unnecessary tempi against the queen.

  13. 7.Bxf7+

    Captures the pawn on f7 and changes the local pawn or piece balance, forcing the king to answer a check.

    Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.

  14. 7Kxf7

    Captures the bishop on f7 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.

  15. 8.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.

  16. 8Qxd4+

    Captures the pawn on d4 and changes the local pawn or piece balance, forcing the king to answer a check.

    Idea: Remove an active defender and improve the moving piece’s influence.

  17. 9.Be3

    Develops the bishop to e3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  18. 9Qf6

    Repositions the queen to f6, where it influences a new part of the board.

    Idea: Coordinate threats carefully while avoiding unnecessary tempi against the queen.

  19. 10.Nc3

    Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  20. 10fxe3

    Captures the bishop on e3 and changes the local pawn or piece balance.

    Idea: Open lines in the center and reshape the center for the next phase.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

0 moves
This is the end of the indexed line.

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.

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