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Open games ​

The open openings start with White's first move 1. e4 and Black's reply 1...e5:

  1. 1.

The idea of f2-f4 ​

White can try to remove the e5 pawn right away with 2. f4, aiming to seize the center later with d2-d4 (the King's Gambit):

  1. 1.
  2. 2.

The same idea underlies the main variation of the Vienna Game, characterized by the move 2. ♘c3.

  1. 1.
  2. 2.
  3. 3.
  4. A continuation that vividly shows both sides fighting for the center

Black shows the same kind of counterplay with the reply 2...d5 to White's 2. f4 (the Falkbeer Countergambit):

  1. 1.
  2. 2.

The d2-d4 advance ​

Most open games include White's pawn advance d2-d4, aimed at forcing Black to give up the center after e5xd4 and opening a path for the c1-bishop:

  1. 1.
  2. 2.
  3. This move is possible right away(Danish Gambit)
  4. 2.
  5. Philidor Defense
  6. Russian Game
  7. 3.
  8. Scotch Game
  9. 3.
  10. 4.
  11. Four Knights Game

In several openings, the move d2-d4 is prepared with c2-c3, so that after the capture e5xd4 White can recapture with c3xd4 and get a powerful pawn center:

  1. 1.
  2. 2.
  3. 3.
  4. Italian Game
  5. This idea also appears in many lines of the Ruy Lopez
  6. 3.
  7. 4.
  8. 5.

Sometimes White eases the d2-d4 advance with some kind of distracting maneuver:

  1. 1.
  2. 2.
  3. 3.
  4. 4.
  5. Evans Gambit

Active defense: d7-d5 ​

In Black's systems of active defense, the advance d7-d5 also plays an important role:

  1. 1.
  2. 2.
  3. Center Gambit
  4. Bishop's Opening
  5. 2.
  6. 3.
  7. Ponziani Opening
  8. 3.
  9. Two Knights Defense
  10. 4.