Open Game

Open Game (or Double King's Pawn Opening) is a generic term for a family of chess openings beginning with the moves: 1. e4 e5 The most popular second move for White is 2.Nf3, attacking Black's pawn and supporting the pawn advance d2–d4. The Open Games include many of the oldest and most deeply analyzed openings in chess. They are often among the first openings taught to beginners and remain frequently played at all levels. Two of the most analyzed of the Open Games are the Ruy Lopez (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5) and the Italian Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4). Also popular are the Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4) and the Petrov Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6). When written in lowercase, the term "open game" can be used to refer to "open" chess positions, which feature open lines, meaning unobstructed files and diagonals; these increase piece mobility and often lead to tactical gameplay. While 1.e4 e5 tends to lead to open positions, this is not always the case. Other responses to 1.e4 are termed Semi-Open Games.