An energy guiding chain comprises chain links that are open at the end face and connected to one another in articulated fashion, each of which comprises two side elements connected by at least one cross-member and has a connector in the areas adjacent to the end faces for articulated connection to a chain link adjacent to the end face about an axis transverse to the longitudinal direction of the chain. In order to simplify the insertion of, and access to, the lines inside the chain, at least one chain link is provided, whose side elements are connected by a cross-member (center web) located roughly in the middle and which have openable cross-members (outside webs) on the outside.