1.e4 openings series #1

Hi, this is a forum series about what white should do after black makes a move after e4.  Today, we are going to talk about the most common move after 1.e4.  Yes, it is 1...e5!!!  Many people play this opening, but after that, they have no idea on what to do and so they just randomly choose a move.  Well, after 1...e5 the best and most common move is 2.Nf3.  In chess, you always want to control the center, because that is where you can control the most squares from.

  White is also attacking black's pawn.  Black protects it with 2...Nc6.  Now, there are many ways you can play this now.  You can continue developing the knights with 3.Nc3, and then black goes 3...Nf6, or you can play the Ruy Lopez, and play 3.Bb5 and black does whatever at that point.  Its your choice, but in both of these variations, you still develop and you still attack.  We are going to go over the Ruy Lopez, because it is the more interesting one.  White puts pressure on c6, and plans to create a nasty pin.  Black can play 3...a6 and try to push white out of the pin spot.  4.Ba4 will then lead to 4...Nf6.  White then castles, and he/she does not need to protect the pawn because if 5...Nxe4, then take the knight on c6, and black needs to take back.  White then moves hies queen to e2, and the knight retreats to somewhere.  White then gets his/her pawn back.  From here, white has many ways to play.  They all include developing, and tactics.  If you have any questions on how to play from here, feel free to post on this topic.