Open file

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Image:chess_zhor_26.png
Image:chess_zver_26.png
a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8
a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7
a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6
a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5
a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4
a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3
a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2
a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1
Image:chess_zver_26.png
Image:chess_zhor_26.png


In chess, an open file is a file with no pawns. In the diagram, the e-file is an open file. An open file can provide a line of attack for a rook or queen. Having rooks and/or queens on open files and/or semi-open files is considered an advantage as it allows one to attack more easily. The objective of any open file is to reach the 7th/8th ranks (for White). Controlling the 7th rank is generally worth at least a pawn. Many games are decided based on this strategy.

See also half-open file.