Chess Openings: Closed games

Closed Games

Closed Game or Double Queen Pawn Games are openings where the first moves are 1 d4 d5. The term “closed” can be misleading since they do not necessarily lead to closed positions.

Advance of d4 and d5 allows almost the same benefits consistent with opening theory, as 1 e4 and e5, such as staking a claim on the central squares and clearing a path for development of Bishop and Queen. However there is a difference, while after e4 the pawn will be undefended in case of d4 the pawn will be protected by the Queen herself. This crucial difference affects the openings that are classed as closed openings. On such effect is the popularity of the Queen’s Gambit (d4 d5 2.c4) family of openings compared to King’s Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.f4).

In addition another difference from open games is that closed games can be and are frequently transformed into other openings.

Queen's Gambit

By far the most popular closed openings are the various Queen's Gambit Openings. They all start with 2 c4, offering the pawn. However Queen’s Gambit is not really a gambit since pawn is always recovered if required in book play. Queen’s Gambit divides into variations according to the Black’s response to the offered pawn.

When black takes the pawn by 2 …dxc3 the opening is termed Queen’s Gambit Accepted. With this capture is coupled with later c5 and cxd5, Black attempts to create an isolated White d pawn by giving up the center. White gains the center and in piece development, and keeps the initiative, in return

Black can also decline the offered pawn. This is can be done through two methods. 2 … e6 leads to Queen's Gambit Declined while 2 … c6 leads to Slav Defense. Both these contain a huge number of variations and require extensive study to master. Some of the variations in Queen's Gambit Declined include Lasker's Defense, Orthodox Defense, Cambridge Springs Defense, Tartakower Variation, and Tarrasch and Semi-Tarrasch Defenses among others.

Other replies to offered gambit, such as Chigorin Defense (2...Nc6), Symmetrical Defense (2...c5), Baltic Defense (2...Bf5) Albin Countergambit (2...e5), and Marshall Defense (2...Nf6) are rare in tournament play, though some masters vouch for them.

Other Closed Systems

When White plays another move instead of c4 other openings arise such as Colle System and Stonewall Attack. Both these like the Queen’s Gambit contain large number of variations. Colle System follows after1 d4 d5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 e3, and Stonewall Attack typically after moves 1 d4 d5 2 e3 Nf6 3 Bd3 c5 4 c3 Nc6 5 f4. In fact the pawn structure observed in Stonewall, c3, d4, e3, and f4, can also be achieved through different set of moves. Each will result in a different position for Black however. This is characteristic of both Colle and Stonewall; White tries to create an attacking formation regardless of how Black plays.

Of the other closed openings, Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (1 d4 d5 2 e4), while risky four serious play, is popular with blitz chess players because it opens up the lines for attacks. Other rare openings under closed game openings are Richter-Veresov Attack (1 d4 d5 2 Nc3 Nf6 3 Bg5), and London System (1 d4 d5 2 Bf4)

While Queen’s gambit variations are popular with all ranks of chess players, the Colle System and Stonewall Attack are not much seen in master tournaments. However they are popular in general club play. This is due to the fact that while they are easier to learn and offer variety to White, Black can, if sufficiently familiar with the variations, even out the play.

ECO codes for closed games are D00-D69.

For More Chess Openings Click Here Chess Openings