An Introduction To The King's Pawn Opening

The King's Pawn Opening is one of the most popular chess openings in chess. The King's Pawn Game is any chess opening that starts with this move 1.e4. Although the king's pawn is effective in winning, it is not as successful as the next four common openings for white in chess: 1.d4 (55.9%), 1.Nf3 (55.8%), 1.c4 (56.3%), and 1.g3 (55.8%).

Advancing the king's pawn is very useful because it controls a center square, attacks d5, and allows the bishop and queen to develop. King's Pawn Games are further classified whether black responds with 1.e5 or not. If black does respond with 1.e5, the game can be called "Double King's Pawn Games", "Symmetrical King's Pawn Games", or "Open Games"-these terms are equivalent. If black doesn't respond with 1.e5, the game can be called "Asymmetrical King's Pawn Games" or "Semi-Open Games." 

Pro's

• Occupies the center
• Frees up lane for kingside bishop
• Allows for quicker castling

Con's

• The e-pawn is needier than many others with no immediate back-row guard.

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