is c4 better attaking starting move than e4 ?? • page 1/2 • General Chess Discussion • lichess.org

imrane_00_ao

#1

is c4 better attaking starting move than e4 ??

CM Sarg0n

#2

Better? Maybe more subtle and flexible.

fwh2025c edited

#3

OK, so against 1.c4 I play 1...e6, 2...d5 reaching QGD. I imagine a good attacker, Kasparov in particular, could whip up an attack, but it doesn't strike me as an attacking opening for White. Let me know please if you say otherwise. Maybe you meant 1.d4? not 1.e4. If you want attack 1.d4 is better than 1.c4, Doesn't 1.c5 take a lot of the sharpness out of the game? It seems to do that for me. I don't do well with classical English. So I probably go with 1.d4 as primary weapon and 1.Nf3 as secondary. If I see 1....c5 against 1.Nf3, then start playing 2.e4. Play both sides of the sicilian. Go with 6.Be2 lines AMAP for starters. As black always 2...e6. Plenty of flexibility there. Anything but open sicilian and Alapin sees 3...d5, touch wood.

:)

edit: so why don't I play 1...c5 against 1.c4. It's kinda boring, not a lot of scope, AFAICT

OK, so against 1.c4 I play 1...e6, 2...d5 reaching QGD. I imagine a good attacker, Kasparov in particular, could whip up an attack, but it doesn't strike me as an attacking opening for White. Let me know please if you say otherwise. Maybe you meant 1.d4? not 1.e4. If you want attack 1.d4 is better than 1.c4, Doesn't 1.c5 take a lot of the sharpness out of the game? It seems to do that for me. I don't do well with classical English. So I probably go with 1.d4 as primary weapon and 1.Nf3 as secondary. If I see 1....c5 against 1.Nf3, then start playing 2.e4. Play both sides of the sicilian. Go with 6.Be2 lines AMAP for starters. As black always 2...e6. Plenty of flexibility there. Anything but open sicilian and Alapin sees 3...d5, touch wood. :) edit: so why don't I play 1...c5 against 1.c4. It's kinda boring, not a lot of scope, AFAICT

kindaspongey

#4

"... If you look at games played by grandmasters, you will sometimes find that White does not start with 1 d2-d4 or 1 e2-e4; instead he plays 1 c2-c4, 1 Ng1-f3 or even some other move. How, you may wonder, does this fit in with what I have been saying above? The answer is that grandmasters are cunning beasts, and starting with 1 c2-c4 or 1 Ng1-f3 doesn't mean that they aren't aiming at controlling the centre -- they are just doing so in a subtle way. ... I would recommend that you avoid these subtle opening systems; they depend on a knowledge of a wide range of openings, and this can only be acquired over a period of time. ..." - Learn Chess by GM John Nunn (2000)

DoctorFuu edited

#5

No difference. Both moves attack two empty squares.

If your question was "which move leads to better attacking chances", it simply depends on your opening repertoire as white and your opponent's repertoire as black. If you have to ask this question, e4 is probably a better fit. A huge part of playing with c4 (or Nf3) is the possibility to transpose into different openings/lines, which require both subtlety, cunningness, and more importantly a huge knowledge of opening systems, pawn structure...

If you have to ask this question is such simple terms, you'll probably have a much easier time getting attacking positions out of 1.e4.

No difference. Both moves attack two empty squares. If your question was "which move leads to better attacking chances", it simply depends on your opening repertoire as white and your opponent's repertoire as black. If you have to ask this question, e4 is probably a better fit. A huge part of playing with c4 (or Nf3) is the possibility to transpose into different openings/lines, which require both subtlety, cunningness, and more importantly a huge knowledge of opening systems, pawn structure... If you have to ask this question is such simple terms, you'll probably have a much easier time getting attacking positions out of 1.e4.

FunnyAnimatorJimTV

edited

#6

e4 immediately opens up white's light-squared bishop and queen, who have potential to attack black's f7 square and other squares around black's king. the e-file can also open easier, or white can continue to gain space on the kingside with f4, g4.

c4 prevents the light-squared bishop from developing that way, so instead it usually goes to g2, where it aims at the center and queenside. white's c4 pawn also gains space on the queenside and will go well with b4-b5, opening the a or b files etc.

.
.
.
...so e4 is more suitable for attacking black's kingside and ending the game quickly, while c4 usually has white attack black's queenside, which still has high chance to win but it will take a lot longer.

both are very important openings. you should get exposed to some variations and plans in both - it will help you in your games. you will also get the chance to play against both of them when you play black.

e4 immediately opens up white's light-squared bishop and queen, who have potential to attack black's f7 square and other squares around black's king. the e-file can also open easier, or white can continue to gain space on the kingside with f4, g4. c4 prevents the light-squared bishop from developing that way, so instead it usually goes to g2, where it aims at the center and queenside. white's c4 pawn also gains space on the queenside and will go well with b4-b5, opening the a or b files etc. . . . ...so e4 is more suitable for attacking black's kingside and ending the game quickly, while c4 usually has white attack black's queenside, which still has high chance to win but it will take a lot longer. both are very important openings. you should get exposed to some variations and plans in both - it will help you in your games. you will also get the chance to play against both of them when you play black.

forsoothplays

#7

I played 1.c4 as a beginner then later found out I was an attacking player. I can tell you that you will get a lot of games where the center locks up and then it's difficult to find an attacking plan. There is also the issue that the pieces do not get out as fast as they do after 1.e4. Yes, you can attack after 1.c4 but it is not really a natural fit, and it won't be the correct plan in very many games. Meanwhile, after 1.e4, if the opponent makes a mistake then the punishment very often involves an attack. There are also many openings that force the opponent on the defensive early after 1.e4, such as the King's Gambit or Danish Gambit.

Trust me, 1.e4 will serve you much better.

I played 1.c4 as a beginner then later found out I was an attacking player. I can tell you that you will get a lot of games where the center locks up and then it's difficult to find an attacking plan. There is also the issue that the pieces do not get out as fast as they do after 1.e4. Yes, you can attack after 1.c4 but it is not really a natural fit, and it won't be the correct plan in very many games. Meanwhile, after 1.e4, if the opponent makes a mistake then the punishment very often involves an attack. There are also many openings that force the opponent on the defensive early after 1.e4, such as the King's Gambit or Danish Gambit. Trust me, 1.e4 will serve you much better.

kindaspongey

#8

"... For players with very limited experience, I recommend using openings in which the play can be clarified at an early stage, often with a degree of simplification. To accomplish this safely will take a little study, because you will have to get used to playing with open lines for both sides' pieces, but you can't eliminate risk entirely in the opening anyway. ... teachers all over the world suggest that inexperienced players begin with 1 e4. ..." - IM John Watson in a section of his 2010 book, Mastering the Chess Openings, Volume 4

lizani edited

#9

Simple answer, no. 1. e4 tends to lead to more open positions and a faster confrontation between the two sides. Many of the sharp games from 1. c4 arise after transposition to some other 1. d4 opening.
Take a look at any collection of miniature games and you'll see the majority are 1. e4. Mistakes get punished more severely in open positions and if you're an attacking player those are the ones that fit your style best.

Simple answer, no. 1. e4 tends to lead to more open positions and a faster confrontation between the two sides. Many of the sharp games from 1. c4 arise after transposition to some other 1. d4 opening. Take a look at any collection of miniature games and you'll see the majority are 1. e4. Mistakes get punished more severely in open positions and if you're an attacking player those are the ones that fit your style best.

Startinganewgamesoon

#10

1.c4 is something for a longer time control, because you can come up with a strategy that maybe doesn't look to obvious.
1.e4 is also fine, like getting into the Ruy Lopez for example.
Why just for longer time controls, it's also suitable for Blitz, if you have looked into different options for the second move.
Play 1.c4 , and then lay the foundations for an attack.
Make progress, by building on them foundations. and if you have no success, then at least try to draw the game.
I have tried c4 and then Qc2 with different results.

1.c4 is something for a longer time control, because you can come up with a strategy that maybe doesn't look to obvious. 1.e4 is also fine, like getting into the Ruy Lopez for example. Why just for longer time controls, it's also suitable for Blitz, if you have looked into different options for the second move. Play 1.c4 , and then lay the foundations for an attack. Make progress, by building on them foundations. and if you have no success, then at least try to draw the game. I have tried c4 and then Qc2 with different results.