Oversimplification of 1. e4

I often hear people describe 1. e4 as an opening with incredible attacking opportunities. To a certain degree, this is true, however, that description alone does not encompass the full nature of 1. e4. Rather, 1. e4 is an opening that is highly developed in theory, and can be swayed by white into a positional or dynamic game. Chances are, your opponent will know exactly what to play against this theoretical behemoth, because so many people have studied this opening. However, if you understand the basic ideas behind the main lines, then you will be able to command the nature of the game, whether positional or dynamic.

Bear in mind that this post is an oversimplification of what you need to know for 1. e4. The better you become, the more you will have to know about the opening. However, this is an excellent place to start, if you are considering picking up the opening. I will touch on some of the ideas that are vital to understanding this opening, but I encourage you to look into your own interests with 1. e4.

1.e4 e5: Focus on development and making constant improvements to your position. These types of games involve a slow buildup followed by some opportunity to attack.

a. Like This: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1255340

b. Avoid: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1224575

2.e4 e6: Focus on development, holding your center, and looking for pawn breaks. These types of games involve quick development followed by either an opportunity to attack black’s kingside, or a closed maneuvering game.

a. Like This: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1140291

b. Avoid: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1443841

3.e4 c5: Focus on breaking in the center with d4. This is one of the most theoretically-based openings, so I strongly suggest you find some strategic plan successfully employed in the past, and start of by employing that plan in future games. These games are unique because often times, if white does not know what he is doing, black will get a quick advantage.

a. Like This: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame? gid=1008371

b. Avoid: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1011815

4.e4 d5: Focus on using your superior development advantage to take strong control of the center. Black will often try to attack this center later on. These types of games involve an initial maneuvering stage followed by a cat and mouse attacking game. Play patiently, but always look out for an opportunity to attack.

a. Like This: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1018785

b. Avoid: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1121125

5.e4 c6: How you play is based on style. For those of you who are positional, focus on closing up the position. While, those of you who enjoy more open positions, focus on trading pawns in the center for attacking opportunities. These types of games involve a rapid succession of center breaks followed by both sides trying to use the advantage they get out of the opening.

a. Like This: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1067017

b. Avoid: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1069657

Every opening has its fair share of unorthodox lines that you will also have to learn. These unorthodox lines are not part of the central ideas of the opening, so I will not dive into too much depth on them. However, I strongly suggest you look at some of the games in unorthodox openings, and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors with 1. e4.

Nice post, looking to switch to e4 myself.

I actually wish I learned 1. d4 long ago. Now I've been only playing 1. e4 for all my life; What I don't like about it:
a) there are many solid, deeply analysed defenses, like Petrov's defense, Caro-Kann, French, which lead to draws quite easily if Black wants to. It usually comes from exchanging central pawns and too many pieces, so that there's no play for white, even if they win a pawn in the process.
b) there are much less positional lines with 1.e4; not that it's bad. For beginners this is even better, because we all love crazy play at the beginning, but as you get stronger, "throw all your pieces at the opponent's king strategy" doesn't work well anymore. It's getting harder to win just due to some sneaky tactic or unstoppable attack. While 1.d4 still offers crazy attack lines, more often it all comes down to grinding some small positional advantage and eventually turning it to material one. And usually it's the positional play that stronger players win with. I've seen many upsets where a much lower rated player won just because of tactics, because it's easy to miss tactics in sharp lines even for masters. And I don't remember many games where a weaker player outplayed his stronger opponent with positional play.

But on the other hand, I agree that 1.e4 is best for beginners, it teaches many basic principles of chess.

d4 bdst by tdst!!

King's gambit.

DVRazor that is a very insightful comment regarding the future of those who continue to play 1. e4.

A lot of problems you brought up about 1. e4 are completely true, and people who play it should be more wary about the types of positions they are going into.

To be fair though, people who play 1. e4 for a longer period of time tend to have more experience in handling certain types of positions. Openings such as 1. d4 arguably are just as scary because of the wide amount of variations you can face.

However, I will agree that as you get better, and are able to hold your own against better players, the positions arising from 1. d4 may give you better results in tournaments and games.

d4 best by test :)

That's exactly what Fischer said.

Yes exactly what Fischer said :D

e4 b5. Never lost a real game as black with it.
Even against the highest ranking players, you can easily compensate and counterattack. Try it.