Open games

Open openings are characterized by White's first move 1. e4 and Black's reply 1...e5:

The f2-f4 Idea

White can try to eliminate the e5 pawn immediately with 2. f4, in order later, after d2-d4, to seize the center (King's Gambit):

The same idea underlies the main line of the Vienna Game, characterized by the move 2. Nc3.

The same kind of counterplay by Black appears in the reply 2...d5 to White's move 2. f4 (Falkbeer Countergambit):

The d2-d4 Advance

Most open openings include White's pawn advance d2-d4, aimed at forcing Black to concede the center after exd4 and opening the diagonal for the bishop on c1:

In a number of openings the move d2-d4 is prepared by c2-c3, so that after the capture exd4 White can reply cxd4 and obtain a powerful pawn center:

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

Active Defense: d7-d5

In active defensive systems for Black, the advance d7-d5 also plays an important role: