Chess Openings Lab
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King's Pawn Game: Tayler Opening

The Tayler Opening is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Be2, a modest bishop move that prepares quick castling and a later d4. Black can take the center freely with ...Nf6 and ...d5, while White hopes for a reversed Philidor or Hanham setup with an extra tempo.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Be2
ECO
C44
Engine
−0.16 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,087 games in our lichess sample
White scores
48.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Castle short quickly and then push d4, as in the transposition with Be2, ...Nf6 and d4.
  • Keep the bishop on e2 flexible; it can jump to b5 after the center opens, as in the engine lines.
  • Support the center with d3, c3 and Nbd2 for a slow Hanham-style setup.
  • If Black plays ...d5, take on d5 and use Bb5 to pin the c6 knight.

Black

  • Play 3...Nf6, leading toward the Inverted Hanham, and follow with ...d5 to grab the center.
  • After exd5 and ...Nxd5, watch the Bb5 pin and be ready to trade on c3 if needed.
  • Develop the dark bishop to c5 or e7 and castle; White's slow bishop gives you time.
  • Avoid weakening moves like ...g6 early; they give White a clean d4 push.

Plans and pawn structure

White's bishop on e2 is passive, so Black should use the time to play ...Nf6 and ...d5 and grab space. If White instead prepares d4, the game turns into an open center where Black's e5 pawn can be traded and the pieces come out freely. White's plan is solid: castle, then d4 or d3 with c3, aiming for a long maneuvering game. Black's best results come from active, early central play.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.16: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. −0.16 3...Nf6 4.Nc3 d5 5.exd5 Nxd5 6.Bb5
  2. +0.23 3...Bd6 4.O-O Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.Bb5
  3. +0.28 3...g6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bg7 6.Nxc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,087 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 48.4%.

under 120050.1%
1200–159946.5%
1600–199949.0%
2000 and up52.8%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Tayler Opening, Inverted Hanham3...Nf6 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, play ...Nf6 and ...d5 before White gets in d4 with support. Do not overprotect e5 with slow moves. If White castles and pushes d4, answer with ...exd4 and quick development, aiming for central breaks instead of a cramped position.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Be2 Nf6 4.d4.

Questions

What are the moves of the King's Pawn Game: Tayler Opening?

The King's Pawn Game: Tayler Opening starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Be2. Its ECO code is C44.

Is the King's Pawn Game: Tayler Opening good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.16 at depth 20, which is level. In 2,087 lichess games from our sample, White scored 48.4%. A solid but unambitious choice for White players who want to avoid main lines; Black equalizes easily with active play.

What is the main idea of the King's Pawn Game: Tayler Opening?

White plays a quiet bishop move and plans to castle and play d4. Black uses the free time to grab the center with ...Nf6 and ...d5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf6, with Bd6 and g6 close behind. 3...Nf6 attacks e4 and prepares ...d5, making the most of the passive Be2.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.