What's the best opening move in chess?

Question

I usually start with moving Pawn to E-4, but I'm not very sure how effective it is. Is there anything better?

Answer 1

Pawn to E-8 is kick ***!

Answer 2

The goals to be achieved in the opening are basically:

1) Bring your King to safety by castling

2) Develop your pieces toward the center so that they are ready for midldlegame action

3) Control the center, either by actual possession of it or by short-range or long-range aqction of pieces or pawns.

With that in mind, there are five first moves for White that are absolutely perfect, and there is no valid reason for not choosing one of them to start the game.   ("Perfect" means that the move aids in the accomplishing of all three opening goals)

Although the moves are of equivalent quality, the nature of possible play arising from them can be quite varied, so all kinds of individual styles can be accommodated by these five moves:

The moves, ranging from most active to least active, are:

1)  e4

2)  d4

3)  c4 (English Opening)

4)  Nf3 (if you follow with g3, Bg2 and 0-0, you will accomplish all three goals in just four moves)

5)  g3  

b3 as an opening move is just below the value of these five moves, because  (1)  it does not further the safety of the King by preparing for king-side castling... queenside castling is not attractive in this opening  and (2) Additional pressure on e5 is difficult to achieve, since f4 would lead to some weakening of the King position.

So to answer your question, there's nothing "better" than e4, but there are moves that are just as good, depending on your style of play.

Answer 3

With the white pieces I play 1.d4 exclusively

when I have the black pieces,I reply to 1.e4 with 1.....c5

I reply to 1.d4 with 1........Nf6

Answer 4

always try to free your queen and bishops

Answer 5

1.e4 is very good. So is 1.d4 (the Queen pawn). Neither is better than the other. Both are equally popular among Grandmasters and many of them play both. 1.Nf3 (Reti) and 1.c4 (the English opening) are also perfectly good openings.

Your style should determine which suits you better. 1.e4 is considered much more aggressive than 1.d4 (according to Nigel Short). This is because centre pawns are more likely to be exchanged, opening lines in the centre. In this scenario rapid development is essential and fast attacks on the king are more common. I play 1.e4 exclusively because I like open games. 1.d4 usually leads to a more closed (and slower) game. Here there can be more manoeuvring, with quick attacks less common. 1.Nf3 and 1.c4 are also likely to lead to closed games.

Bobby Fischer said once that 1.e4 was "best by test", but then played 1.d4 (effectively) in his match against Spassky and scored a brilliant win. So he was not as dogmatic as his statement suggests. He nearly always played 1.e4 however. On the other hand Kasparov usually played 1.d4, and he wasn't too shabby either. Take your pick.

Answer 6

You should really taylor your opening variation to your style of play.  This will maximize your game potential.  You would not want to play a game when you are not comfortable with the board positions.  I have done this in the past and found it very beneficial.  When you get to the point where you know more of the game and are comfortable with different types of position you will start tayloring your game to your opponents weaknesses.  Like what the guy said above he prefers an open game.  If he and I were to play I will close things up away from his preferred comfort.  In order to be able to do that you must first find out what your style of play is.  Do you like exchanges and open game ? Do you like a fast paced tempo?  Do you like to set traps and counter attack? etc,....  Go with e4 for a faster pace of play (in general).  d4 I personally find is better suited for my style of play.

Answer 7

Hi,

     Yes - this is one of the best opening moves.  You may like to visit my web page - link below.  You can also PRINT out a copy of any orthodox chess set and board in the world - FREE!  I hope this is helpful for you.

Yours,

Chesmayne.