Closed games

Among closed openings are relatively symmetrical lines beginning with 1. d4 d5 (the Queen's Pawn opening).

The fight for e4

The move 1...d5 stops the e2-e4 advance, but there are other ways to do this too.

The ...e7-e5 advance

Another idea is to use e7-e5 to hold back White's "e" pawn and put pressure on the white d4 pawn.

Other closed games

Also classed as closed are openings in which White is in no hurry to play e2-e4 or d2-d4.