Openings 1.e4 e5: open games
1.e4 e5: Every Second Move for White, Main and Rare
1...e5 mirrors White’s first move and leads to the open games. White’s second move decides the family: 2.Nf3 is played in about six games in ten, then 2.Bc4, 2.Nc3, 2.d4 and 2.f4. This page also covers the rare second moves that have names of their own.
C20King's Pawn Game
Games from this position (1600–1999): 1.4M
- 1.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62% | 841k | ||
| 10% | 137k | ||
| 9% | 121k | ||
| 7% | 99k | ||
| 6% | 84k | ||
| 2% | 27k | ||
| 0.8% | 10k | ||
| 0.6% | 7,883 | ||
| 0.4% | 5,335 |
Plans for both sides
White
- 2.Nf3 attacks e5 and develops; it leads to the Italian, Ruy Lopez, Scotch, Four Knights and more.
- 2.Bc4, 2.Nc3, 2.f4 and 2.d4 are the Bishop’s Opening, Vienna, King’s Gambit and Center Game, each with its own guide.
- Quiet moves like 2.d3, 2.c3 or 2.Ne2 are playable but give Black an easy game with ...d5 or ...Nf6.
Black
- Against 2.Nf3, 2...Nc6 is by far the most common reply; 2...Nf6 (Petrov) and 2...d6 (Philidor) are the solid alternatives.
- Against slow second moves, take the center with ...d5 or develop with ...Nf6 and ...Bc5.
- Against the early queen moves 2.Qh5 and 2.Qf3, defend f7 first and develop with tempo against the queen.
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King’s Pawn Game: 1.e4 e5 at each rating
How often the position after 1.e4 e5 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 1.2M38.4% | 2.Nf358% | |
| 1200–1599 | 1.9M31.4% | 2.Nf362% | |
| 1600–1999 | 1.4M21.1% | 2.Nf362% | |
| 2000+ | 244k12.0% | 2.Nf371% | |
| All | 4.6M26.5% | 2.Nf362% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
A quiet move that keeps e4 protected. Black develops freely; ...d5 is a good reply.
27k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 47%, 5% were drawn, Black won 49%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.d3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6White prepares d4 without letting Black trade on d4 for a piece. 2...Nf6 hits e4 at once.
2,070 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 4% were drawn, Black won 48%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.c3 Nf6 3.d4The knight heads for g3 or supports f4. It blocks the f1 bishop, so Black can take the center with ...d5 or ...Nf6.
471 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 45%, 4% were drawn, Black won 50%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Ne2 Nf6 3.Nbc3A waiting move that keeps White’s options open. Black just develops.
2,022 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 3% were drawn, Black won 48%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.a3 Nf6 3.Nc3The bishop goes to b5 before the knight. 2...c6 gains time on it, and ...Nf6 hits e4.
240 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 3% were drawn, Black won 48%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Bb5 c6 3.Ba4 Nf6A joke move made famous online: the king blocks its own pieces and gives up castling. Black simply develops.
Too rare in our data for numbers.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Ke2 Nc6
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At club level
Below 1200, 2.Qh5 is played in about one game in sixteen after 1.e4 e5; at 2000+ the five main moves cover almost everything, with 2.Nf3 at about 71%.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.
Related openings
- King’s Knight Opening: 2.Nf3
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3
- Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
- Bishop’s Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4
- Philidor Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6
- Scotch Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4
- Ruy Lopez
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5