The opening is one of the most critical phases in a game of chess. If you can effectively learn chess openings, both the white and black players can start with better positioning than their opponent, which leads to some inherent advantages in terms of mobility. These are not just arbitrary moves; they have a particular importance and meaning that you need to understand as you prepare to play your first game.
Therefore, knowing how to play chess requires learning the best openings that you will use every time you play. Consider these three most common opening moves in chess:
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Pawn to e4
The first and most popular opening move in chess is the pawn to E4. This move by the white pawn is called the queen’s pawn, or simply QP. It’s an aggressive move designed to assert control over as much of the center of the board as possible.
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Pawn to d4
The second most popular opening move in chess is to play a pawn from D4. This move is called the bishop’s pawn or BP. The bishop’s pawn goes after enemy pieces that threaten the center, and it’s a very aggressive move that usually leads to pressure on critical squares such as f3 and g2.
When you play this opening move, you’ll need to be careful about your placement of the queen and rook; these pieces will be vulnerable throughout the game.
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Pawn to e3
Finally, the third most popular opening move in chess is to play a pawn from e3. This move is called the knight’s pawn, or KP. The knight’s pawn goes after enemy pieces that threaten the center of the board, so it can also lead to attacks on critical squares such as f4 and g1. This is one of the best opening moves because this way of playing can provide you with mobility and freedom when you want to carry out your strategy.
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Pawn to f4
This is another famous opening in chess because it forces your opponent to respond in a particular way. This move by the black pawn is called the bishop’s pawn, BP. It’s a defensive move that can slow down your opponent while you get ready to set up your offense with other pieces on the board. The bishop’s pawn is often played as a counterattack and will gain much control over enemy pieces.
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Knight to f3
The most exciting aspect of the knight’s pawn is that it can change directions in the middle of the board. When you play this opening move, it’s one of the best opening moves because you place a knight on f3. This piece can threaten squares such as e4 if your opponent plays a QP. It’s also helpful in attacking any unprotected weaknesses on your side of the board, like the loose KP or BP, which are vulnerable to a diagonal attack from f3.