Chess

In this section, we will outline a set of guidelines to follow during the opening phase of the game. While experienced players can occasionally break these rules with good reason, it’s essential to master them first. Until you reach that level, consider these principles as fundamental as the laws of nature—ignore them at your own risk!

1. Control the centre

As you improve at chess, you'll come to understand that the most crucial part of the board is the center—specifically, the squares e4, d4, e5, and d5. These squares are very important and like the high ground in a battle, and controlling them often paves the way to victory. Also, when the pieces are placed here will have more control over the board as compared to piece sitting at the side or the corner of the board. Just as in warfare, dominating the high ground provides a strategic advantage. Ideally, your pieces should be positioned similarly to the arrangement shown in the diagram below.

All of White's pieces contribute to controlling the center of the board, even if they aren’t directly placed on central squares. Naturally, this position is somewhat idealized—your opponent gets to move too and will also be striving for control of the center. While you may not always manage to position your pieces on their optimal squares, the goal remains the same: aim to maximize your influence over the center as much as possible!

2. Develop your Pieces

This is the single most important rule of the opening: develop your pieces. In chess, development means moving your pieces off their starting squares and preparing them for battle. Many beginners make the mistake of moving just one or two pieces repeatedly, only bringing in reinforcements when those pieces are stuck or captured. To maximize your chances of winning, you need all your pieces working together.

Time is critical in the opening—you can’t afford to waste a single move. If one player develops their pieces faster than the other, they gain a lead in development. This is a significant advantage because the player with a lead in development is often the first to launch an attack. Since White moves first, they usually have a slight development advantage at the start of the game.

Is there a specific order to follow when developing your pieces? Generally, yes. Knights and bishops should be developed before queens and rooks. It's usually best to prioritize developing the knight and bishop on the side where you plan to castle, allowing you to get castled early and secure your king's safety. By the 10th move, none of your knights or bishops should still be sitting on their starting squares.

3. Don't bring your queen out too early

Developing your pieces is the first rule of the opening, but that doesn’t mean developing your queen early is a good idea. The queen is your most powerful piece (besides the king, which must be protected at all costs), and losing her early is a disaster—unless you’re trading for your opponent’s queen.

In the opening, your opponent has 14 pieces less valuable than your queen. If you bring your queen out too soon, your opponent can use their minor pieces to attack her while simultaneously developing their own position. This forces you to spend precious moves retreating your queen instead of developing your other pieces. In effect, you fall behind in development and give your opponent the advantage.

Here’s an example to illustrate why bringing out your queen too early can backfire.

The example demonstrates how bringing the queen out too early can lead to a loss of tempo and development advantage:

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6
   White's queen is now under attack and must move again, losing valuable time.

4. Qa4 Nf6
Black has developed two minor pieces, while White has only moved the queen twice and neglected their other pieces.

By moving the queen multiple times in the opening, White forfeits the advantage of the first move. Black capitalizes on this by gaining a lead in development, setting the stage for an early initiative.

This leads directly to the next principle: prioritize efficient development and avoid wasting time with unnecessary moves, especially with the queen.

4. Don't move the same piece twice

It is absolutely crucial to avoid wasting a single move when developing your pieces. Time is a valuable resource in the opening, and every move should contribute to improving your position. If you repeatedly move the same piece while leaving others on their starting squares, you’re falling behind in development and giving your opponent a significant advantage.

The only exception to this rule is if moving a piece twice allows you to capture an opponent’s piece, gaining material or a strategic edge. Otherwise, focus on bringing all your pieces into play efficiently, ensuring they work together to control the board.

5. Don't make too many pawn moves

In the opening, you must move at least a couple of pawns to allow your pieces to come out. A common and effective strategy is to start by advancing one of your central pawns two squares. Moving the king’s pawn two squares (e4) is particularly beneficial, as it opens lines for both the queen and the kingside bishop, making it a great choice for beginners.

However, many players make the mistake of spending time on other pawn moves that don’t directly contribute to developing their pieces. These unnecessary pawn moves can waste valuable time and hinder your development, putting you at a disadvantage. Focus on opening the center and developing your pieces as efficiently as possible.

6. Castle early

Once your pieces begin to move out, your king can become vulnerable in the center of the board. To avoid falling victim to a quick checkmate, it's essential to castle early in the game. Ideally, you should aim for to castle before move 10. Castling not only safeguards your king but also brings one of your rooks into a more active position, often placing it on an open file where it can put pressure on the enemy king—especially if your opponent has neglected to castle.

The following game highlights the dangers of leaving your king exposed in the center for too long. Played between masters Richard Réti and Savielly Tartakower in Vienna in 1910, this game shows that even top players can sometimes overlook king safety. However, that’s no excuse for making the same mistake in your own games!

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nf6 5. Qd3 e5 6. dxe5 Qa5+ 7. Bd2 Qxe5 8. O-O-O Nxe4

White has castled already, while black's king is looking a little vulnerable in the centre. Black should really be thinking about getting his king to safety. 8... Be7 9. Re1 O-O and black survives.

Now white has a knockout blow:

9. Qd8+! Kxd8 10. Bg5+ Kc7 11. Bd8#

Not every opponent will be able to knock you out like that, but there are plenty of other ways to get checkmated by leaving your king in the middle too long.

7. Clear the back rank and connect your rooks

Connecting your rooks means clearing the space between them so they can protect each other. This is typically done by developing all your pieces and castling your king, which creates an open file between your rooks. A clear back rank allows your rooks to move freely along it, whether for defensive purposes or to support a pawn push.

Ideally, you want to move your rooks toward the center, as shown in the fantasy position above. This centralization makes them more effective, allowing them to control key files and support attacks. In some situations, it’s also a good idea to place a rook opposite the enemy queen, even if pieces are in the way. This can put pressure on your opponent and limit their options.