Open, Semi-Open/Closed, and Closed Games

Why are these types of Openings called Open Games / Semi-Open Games / Closed Games / Semi-Closed Games?

From what I've been able to find out, so far, is:

• Open Games (1. e4 e5)
• Semi-Open Games (1. e4 ... any move except 'e5')
• Closed Games (1. d4 d5)
• Semi-Closed Games (1. d4 ... any move except 'd5')

However, these titles seem redundant, as, for example, you can start off with 1. e4 e5 (Open Game), but then play can switch to a supposedly Closed situation (i.e. Ruy Lopez - Closed Variation: 1. e4 e5, 2. Nf3 Nc6, 3. Bb5 a6, 4. Ba4 Nf6, 5. 0-0 Be7 *)

What confuses this further is there are two types of game situations, which have nothing to do with specific Openings:

• Closed Games, where the middle of the board is locked with Pawns, making it more suitable for Knights.
• Open Games, where the middle of the board isn't locked with Pawns, making it more suitable for the long-distance Pieces, such as the Bishops.

In Yasser Seirawan's Winning Chess Openings, he refers to:

• 1. e4 e5 (Open Game) as a "Classical King Pawn Opening";
• 1. d4 d5 (Closed Games) as a "Classical Queen Pawn Opening".

So, what about the Semi Openings ... Would it make more sense to call them, say, "Asymmetrical King/Queen Pawn Openings"? The "Asymmetrical" name doesn't roll off the tongue as neatly as Semi-Open/Closed Game, but it seems to make more sense.

Any thoughts?

awesome topic

well, im studying openings and what i've realized for semi openings it that they all are made for black so if u wanna study them study them as black

its a great point, i saw the same thing you are talking about, 

I feel like the kings pawn game should just be called the kings pawn game, and the term @open game@ should be reserved for any game that is in an open position where the center isnt all crammed up