Control the center
The four squares in the middle of the board (d4, e4, d5, e5) are where every piece works best. In the opening, both sides fight for them first.
Why the center matters
A piece in the middle of the board covers more squares than one on the edge. A knight in the center can go to eight squares, but only two from a corner. Controlling the center gives your pieces room and takes it away from your opponent.
That is why e4 and d4 are the most common first moves: the pawn takes a center square and opens lines for the bishop and queen.
Pawns and pieces
You can control the center with pieces as well as pawns. Nf3 and Nc3 aim White's knights at e5 and d5. When your opponent puts a pawn in the center, challenge it with a pawn of your own (…d5 or d4) or aim pieces at it, so the center is not theirs alone.
Center pawns chase pieces away
A center pawn can drive enemy pieces away just by moving forward. A pawn is worth less than a piece, so a piece attacked by a pawn usually has to move. Attack two pieces at once and one of them falls.
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nxe4 5.Nxe4
A good move …d5
The pawn hits the bishop on c4 and the knight on e4 at once — a fork. Neither is defended, so Black wins the lost piece back.
A common mistake …Be7
A natural developing move, but the knight Black gave up never comes back. Black stays a knight for a pawn down.
Checklist for your games
- In the opening, move the center pawns (e and d) first.
- Don't spend moves pushing edge pawns (a and h).
- When your opponent takes the center with a pawn, challenge it with a pawn or aim pieces at it.
Practice
Play in the chess dojo and get every move graded →