The move 1.e4 is a very common opening move in chess, moving the pawn in front of the White king two spaces. According to chess.com, in their database of over 7 million games, 29.5% of White’s first moves were 1.e4, while 22.5% were 1.d4 and 18.5% were 1.c4. Why is e4 the most prevalent opener?
1.e4 is a common opening move because it helps control the center of the board and provides a solid foundation for development. By controlling the center, White can more easily occupy key squares and exert influence over the rest of the board. It also gives White the option of attacking the black pawn on d5 with the pawn on e4, or supporting it with the pawn on d3 or a knight move to f3. In addition, moving the e-pawn allows White to develop the light-squared bishop, which is often an important piece in the opening.
An additional benefit of opening with e4 is it starts to build White’s presence in the center of the board without directly opening the King to a diagonal attack from a Black bishop or queen. Additionally, the pawn on e4 can help control the d5 square, which can be a key attacking square for Black if it is not well protected. While the e4 opening is not primarily focused on protecting the king, it can have some indirect effects on the safety of the king.
Overall, 1.e4 is a versatile move that helps White establish a strong position in the opening.
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