Semi-open games

Semi-open openings result from White's move 1. e4 met by any reply from Black other than 1...e5. The struggle for the center can take the most varied forms.

In the French Defense, Black immediately threatens the e4 pawn, and if it advances, the d4 pawn becomes the object of attack:

The idea of the advance d7-d5 is inherent in most semi-open openings. In the Scandinavian Defense this move is made immediately in response to 1. e4:

In the Caro-Kann Defense — after the preparatory 1...c6:

It is considerably harder to carry out in the most widespread semi-open opening — the Sicilian Defense, which arises after 1...c5:

Alekhine's Defense (1...Nf6) has an entirely different character: