Chessy
King's Pawn Game: the opening after 1.e4
The King's Pawn Game starts with the most direct first move in chess: 1.e4. It asks Black an immediate question and keeps your options wide open. The position after this move is already useful for training, because Black has several major replies and each one leads to a different kind of game. Stockfish rates the position +0.26, a small edge for White. That means you are a bit better here, and the drill below helps you learn how to keep that start simple and effective.
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Create a free account →What the position is asking from you
After 1.e4, your first job is not to force anything fancy. You want to claim space, open lines for your pieces, and stay flexible until Black shows their hand. This is one reason the King's Pawn Game is such a common starting point: it leads to many familiar middlegame types while still giving White a practical pull. The engine's best move for Black here is e5, and the listed continuation is e5 Nf3 Nc6 Nc3. That tells you the game often becomes about rapid development and good piece placement rather than early tricks.
What the numbers say
At this exact position, the Lichess database shows 1,694,309,369 games. White wins 49.7%, draws 3.9%, and Black wins 46.4%. Those figures show that the opening is very playable for White, and the engine's +0.26 agrees with that. You do not need to overreach: the opening is giving you a small advantage, so calm development and sensible piece play are usually enough to keep the game on your terms.
The replies you will see most often
The most-played continuation is e5 with 830,552,040 games, and White scores 51.0% there. Other common replies are c5 with 263,578,200 games and White scoring 47.4%; d5 with 154,941,558 games and White scoring 49.2%; e6 with 152,131,894 games and White scoring 47.9%; c6 with 104,511,594 games and White scoring 47.1%; and d6 with 50,363,011 games and White scoring 49.5%. The practical lesson is simple: you will see many different pawn structures, so learn the opening as a set of ideas rather than one narrow line.
How to use the drill
This page is best used as a starting test of your opening habits. Because Black has several major replies, the drill helps you recognise when to develop quickly, when to stay flexible, and when to avoid drifting into passive play. Since the engine already gives White a small edge, your goal is to keep the position easy to play and make the most of the space and initiative from the first move. Try to meet the replies accurately, then see whether you can turn the first-move advantage into a clean middlegame.
Results across 1,694,309,369 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e5 | 830,552,040 | 51.0% |
| c5 | 263,578,200 | 47.4% |
| d5 | 154,941,558 | 49.2% |
| e6 | 152,131,894 | 47.9% |
| c6 | 104,511,594 | 47.1% |
| d6 | 50,363,011 | 49.5% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the King's Pawn Game?
It is the opening that begins with **1.e4**. In this lesson, the reader plays White from that position, and the position is already slightly better for White according to the engine.
Is the King's Pawn Game good for beginners?
Yes. It is direct, principled, and teaches useful habits like development, centre control, and piece activity. The position here is also practical for training because Black has several major replies and the game can take many forms.
What is the engine's best move for Black here?
The engine's best move here is **e5**, and the listed continuation is **e5 Nf3 Nc6 Nc3**. That suggests a very natural fight over development and central space.
Which reply is most common after 1.e4?
The most-played continuation is **e5**, with **830,552,040** games. White scores **51.0%** there, so it is the reply you are most likely to face and the one worth learning first.
How many games feature the King's Pawn Game?
Over 1694 million Lichess games have reached the King's Pawn Game position. White wins 49.7%, Black wins 46.4%, with 3.9% draws — based on real rated games.