Open Game

This article is about the chess opening. Not to be confused with open gaming or Open (sport).
Open Game
abcdefgh
8
a8 black rook
b8 black knight
c8 black bishop
d8 black queen
e8 black king
f8 black bishop
g8 black knight
h8 black rook
a7 black pawn
b7 black pawn
c7 black pawn
d7 black pawn
f7 black pawn
g7 black pawn
h7 black pawn
e5 black pawn
e4 white pawn
a2 white pawn
b2 white pawn
c2 white pawn
d2 white pawn
f2 white pawn
g2 white pawn
h2 white pawn
a1 white rook
b1 white knight
c1 white bishop
d1 white queen
e1 white king
f1 white bishop
g1 white knight
h1 white rook
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Moves1.e4 e5
ECOC20–C99
ParentKing's Pawn Game
Synonym(s)Double King's Pawn Opening
Double King's Pawn Game

An Open Game (or Double King's Pawn Opening) is a generic term for a family of chess openings beginning with the moves:

1. e4 e5

White has moved the king's pawn two squares and Black has replied in kind. The result is an Open Game. Other responses to 1.e4 are termed Semi-Open Games or Single King's Pawn Games.

When written in lowercase, the term "open game" refers to a chess position where ranks, files and diagonals are open, and tending to more tactical gameplay. It is possible that an Open Game may lead to a closed game.[1]

This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
  1. ^ Hooper & Whyld (1996), p. 279. open game.