King's Pawn Game

King's Pawn Game is a chess opening with the ECO code C20. It goes 1. e4 e5. White opens with 1. e4 (the king's pawn) and Black answers 1... e5. After 2 moves it is White to move. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.

The moves

• 1. e4 – White plays the pawn to e4
• 1... e5 – Black plays the pawn to e5

In chessGM's opening book this position continues with 2. Nf3, 2. f4, 2. Nc3, 2. d4, 2. Bc4.

About the King's Pawn Game

White opens with 1.e4, taking the centre and opening lines for the queen and bishop. This family holds rarer replies and side lines after 1.e4.

• Follow the basics: develop knights and bishops, castle, and fight for the centre.
• Against odd replies, d4 builds a big centre for free.
• Do not move the queen too early; it can be chased and lose time.

chessGM has a full course for this line: open the King's Pawn Game course lesson.

Related openings

• It extends: King's Pawn Game (1. e4)
• Continues with: Bongcloud Attack – adds 2. Ke2
• Continues with: Center Game – adds 2. d4
• Continues with: English Opening: The Whale – adds 2. c4
• Continues with: King's Pawn Game: Alapin Opening – adds 2. Ne2
• Continues with: King's Pawn Game: King's Head Opening – adds 2. f3
• Continues with: King's Pawn Game: Leonardis Variation – adds 2. d3
• Continues with: King's Pawn Game: MacLeod Attack – adds 2. c3
• Continues with: King's Pawn Game: Mengarini's Opening – adds 2. a3
• Related line: King's Pawn Game: Maróczy Defense (1. e4 d6 2. d4 e5)
• Related line: King's Pawn Game: Alapin Opening (1. e4 e5 2. Ne2)
• Related line: King's Pawn Game: Bavarian Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. c4 d5)
• Related line: King's Pawn Game: Beyer Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. d4 d5)
• Related line: King's Pawn Game: Clam Variation, King's Gambit Reversed (1. e4 e5 2. d3 f5)
• Related line: King's Pawn Game: Clam Variation, Radisch Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. d3 Nf6 3. f4 Bc5)

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