King Pawn Openings
The first move 1. e4 signals the widely named group of openings known collectively as King Pawn Openings.
In this article, we will cover in brief some well-known openings to get you started.
King’s Gambit 
The Kings Gambit opening moves under the King Pawn Openings are
1. e4 e5
2. f4
White offers a pawn to divert the Black e-pawn and wants to build a stronger center with d2-d4.
The theory has shown that in order for Black to maintain the one pawn advantage, moves must be made that severely weaken the position of the black pieces.
King’s Gambit is one of the earliest documented openings as it was investigated by the 17th-century Italian chess player Giulio Polerio
And the most widespread openings for over 300 years.
Francois-Andr Danican Philidor (1726-95), the greatest player and theorist of his day, wrote that the King’s Gambit should end in a draw with the best play by both sides.
He stated that “a gambit equally well attacked and defended is never a decisive game, either on one side or the other.”
Variations
1. Kings Gambit Declined (Although considered best for the Black to accept the gambit, still it can refuse the offered f-pawn or offer a counter gambit.)
Other Variation:
1.1 Falkbeer Countergambit
1.2 Nimzowitch Countergambit
1.3 Classical Defence
2. Kings Gambit Accepted. White has two continuations after Black accepts with 2… exf4:
3.Nf3, called the King’s Gambit, which develops the Knight and the Bishops Gambit
3.Bc4, where White’s development will rapidly increase after 3…Qh4+!? 4.Kf1 followed by 5. Nf3, driving the queen away and gaining the tempo.
Other Variations:
2.1 Classical Variation
2.2 Becker Defense
2.3 Bonsch-Osmolovsky Defense
2.4 Cunningham Defense
2.5 Schallopp Defense
2.6 Modern Defense
2.7 Fischer Defense
These Openings have been used by World Champion Bobby Fisher, Boris Spassky, and players like Joseph Gallagher, Nigel Short, Alexei Fedorov, Alexander Morozevich, and more.
Additional reference material here.
Giuoco Piano (or Italian Opening) – Another very popular King Pawn Openings
King Pawn Openings The moves for this opening are:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 Bc5
In this opening, the White’s Bishop at c4 prevents Black from advancing in the center. d5 and attacks the vulnerable f7 square.
To attack the Black King white plans to dominate the center with d2-d4 while Black aims to free his game by exchanging pieces and playing the pawn break d5 or to hold his center pawn at e5.
This Opening is also called Italian Game or a quiet game and is one of the oldest recorded openings.
Played first in the 16th century by Portuguese Damiano and the Italian Greco played it at the beginning of 17th century.
Modern polishes in defensive play have led masters to openings like Ruy Lopez which allows the White more excellent chances for the long-term initiative.
Variations:
1. Main Line: This is the main sequence of White’s fourth move with 4. c3, in planning for a central advance, d2-d4.
Meanwhile, Black can hold a central strong point at e5 with 4…Qe7 or he can counterattack with 4…Nf6.
2. Giuoco Pianissimo:
In Italian, this is called, very quiet game.
When the white plays the fourth move with 4.d3, which aims at limiting the early release of tension through exchanges.
This now enters a positional maneuvering game by sidestepping an immediate central battle.
The other variations are Evans Gambit (4. b4), where white offers a pawn to speed up the development, and Italian Gambit (4 .d4) where White opens up the center.
Additional Reading Material here.
Ruy Lopez
The Ruy Lopez (also called the “Spanish” opening) is the Superhero of the King Pawn Openings
The moves start out as
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5
The Ruy Lopez is an old opening; it is named after Ruy Lopez, a 16th Century Spanish priest, and chess fanatic.
He made a methodical study of this and other chess openings, which he recorded in a 150-page book.
However, although it is named after him, this particular opening was known earlier; it is included in the Gottengen manuscript, which dates from 1490.
A popular use of the Ruy Lopez opening did not develop, however, until the mid-1800’s when Jaenisch, a Russian theoretician, “rediscovered” its potential.
The opening is still in active use; it is a favorite of Gary Kasparov and Bobby Fischer.
In it, White creates a potential pin of the d-pawn or Knight and starts an attack immediately, while simultaneously preparing to castle.
White generally directs pressure on Black’s e-pawn and tries to prepare for a pawn on d4.
It’s known that Black’s best reply on move 3 is a6, which attacks White’s attacking bishop.
After that, White can back up (Ba4) or exchange pieces (Bxc6).
Additional reading Material here.
Sicilian Defense (Rolls-Royce of King Pawn Openings)
The Sicilian starts as:
1. e4 c5
The Sicilian is popular at the master level.
Black immediately fights for the center, but by attacking from the c-file (instead of mirroring White’s move) he creates an asymmetrical position.
That leads to lots of complicated positions.
Black tries to attack White’s e-pawn, often through a Knight at f6 and Bishop at b7.
Here Black would like to make the move “d5” without retribution.
The Sicilian has been extensively studied, and there are many variations. 
A popular variation is the “Dragon” variation, which starts as:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6
In this variation, Black fianchettos a bishop on the h8-a1 diagonal.
This is called the “Dragon” variation because Black’s pawn structure is supposed to look like a dragon.
Another variation that’s quite popular is the “Najdorf” variation. 
It starts just like the Dragon, and diverges on Black’s move 5:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6
According to Grandmaster Daniel King White often responds with “Be2”, permitting Black to attack the center with “e5!”.
Additional reading reference available here,
French Defense
In this big sidekick of King pawn openings called French Defense,
Black lets White have more control over the center, in exchange for which he builds a (hopefully) safe wall of pawns.
The French Defense starts as:
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5
Games generally involve jockeying for position.
The center usually becomes closed, two competing pawn chains arise, and each player tries to outflank the other.
White generally tries to play e5; Black tries to play c5 or f6.
Black’s queen Bishop often becomes trapped and useless, and it’s known as the “French Bishop”.
Additional reading material that you can buy here
Caro – Kann
The Caro-Kann is like the French defense – Black lets White build control of the center, and Black tries to get a pawn at d5.
It looks like a “wimpy Sicilian”.
The Caro-Kann starts out as:
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5
The main line of the Caro-Kann is
1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4
Black gets to eliminate one of White’s central pawns and can get his pieces developed, which is an advantage over the French Defense.
However, Black’s pieces end up with more of a passive defensive role, so players of this opening are often looking for White to make a mistake (however slight).
If you want to know more here are some good book recommendations.
Center Counter
The Center Counter starts out as:
1. e4 d5
This opening is also called the “Scandinavian” opening. A common continuation is exd5 Qxd5.
One excellent book for starters here.
Pirc/Modern Defense 
This opening goes by various names, such as “Pirc” and “Modern”. It starts as usual with the King pawn openings:
1. e4 d6
or
1. e4 g6
Keene defines the “Modern Defense” as the sequence:
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7
This is a comparatively new opening. In the 1930s this was considered mediocre, but by the 1960s it was found to be quite playable.
Black lets White take the center with the view to weakening and ruining White’s “solid” position.
This opening is crafty to play and conventional play of it is counter-intuitive (immediate center control is not a goal, since Black is trying to weaken that control).
Additional reading here.
To know more about these King pawn openings and to improve your Chess we suggest you take up chess classes.
You can contact your local clubs or simply connect with us for online chess classes.
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