King's Pawn Game
Overview
King's Pawn Game is a major root opening in the Semi-Open Games family (ECO B00). It serves as the entry point for a wide subtree of named variations.
The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.
The line arises from 1 ply — specifically the moves 1. e4.
17 distinct sub-variations branch from this opening; prominent examples include Alekhine Defense, Barnes Defense, Borg Defense, and others.
Across every depth of the tree this branch holds 755 documented sub-variations, reflecting decades of analytical work.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- B00
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 1
- Direct variations
- 17
- Total in subtree
- 755
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
1,527,871,757 games · White 49.0% / Draw 4.7% / Black 46.4%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| e5 | 529,630,653 | |
| c5 | 366,971,623 | |
| e6 | 172,874,259 | |
| d5 | 132,306,161 | |
| c6 | 129,470,078 | |
| d6 | 60,102,974 | |
| g6 | 47,579,878 | |
| Nf6 | 28,211,872 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-25 20:42:33
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Variations (17)
- B02 Alekhine Defense
- B00 Barnes Defense
- B00 Borg Defense
- B10 Caro-Kann Defense
- B00 Carr Defense
- B00 Duras Gambit
- B00 Goldsmith Defense
- B00 Hippopotamus Defense
- B00 Lemming Defense
- B06 Modern Defense
- B00 Nimzowitsch Defense
- B00 Owen Defense
- B00 Pirc Defense
- B01 Scandinavian Defense
- B20 Sicilian Defense
- B00 St. George Defense
- B00 Ware Defense
Show all 755 sub-variations (full subtree)
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