The white player will usually move the knight on their king’s side to f3 to defend the d4 and e5.
White’s next move is usually moving their queen’s pawn to d4 so they control 2 squares in the center.
Your opponent will typically capture the pawn you just moved with their knight so they have control over the center again.
The white player will want to defend the pawn so you can’t capture it, so they’ll move their queen’s knight to c3. That way, if you capture their pawn, they can capture your knight.
You may also move the pawn at a7 to a6 to help defend your king if you’d like. You could also move your pawn at g7 to g6 so you can move the king’s bishop out of the back row. That way, you can castle on the king’s side.
Your opponent will try to control more of the center by moving their queen’s pawn to d4.
Your opponent will want to protect their pawn, so they will move it forward to e5. The pawn on e6 will defend the pawn you just moved so other pieces are less likely to attack it.
Your opponent will typically develop their king’s knight to f3 to defend the pawn you put at risk.
As an additional level of protection, your opponent will move their pawn at c2 to c3 to defend the center squares.
Don’t capture the pawn at b2 during your next turn since your opponent could easily remove your queen with their bishop.
The mainline strategy for your opponent is moving their pawn at c2 to c4 to protect d5.
Your opponent usually would move their queen’s knight from b1 to c3.
Your opponent will most likely move their queen to e2 so they can capture your bishop if you decide to capture their knight.
