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Chess Moment · Learn · Lesson 9

Chess opening principles: development and the centre

The first ten moves: centre pawn, knights, bishops, castle.

5 min · 5 steps

Study the positions and explanations, then test your understanding with the questions. To practise making the moves yourself, open the lesson in the app.

Step 1 · The centre

White to move

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

The centre is the four squares in the middle of the board: d4, d5, e4 and e5. Pieces placed there reach the most squares.

Which first move fights for the centre?

Quick check

  • Pawn to a3
  • Pawn to e4
  • Pawn to h4

Show the correct answer

Correct answer: Pawn to e4 — Yes. e4 takes a central square and opens lines for your bishop and queen.

  • Pawn to a3 — a3 guards b4 and not much else. Start in the middle — that is where the pieces come alive.
  • Pawn to h4 — h4 does nothing for the centre and loosens the shelter your king will castle into.

Step 2 · Claim the centre

White to move

Explore the moves

Starting position

Read the full continuation
  1. 1.e4 — A pawn in the centre, and two diagonals open — the bishop on f1 and the queen can come out now.
FENrnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

Play it: pawn from e2 to e4.

The move: e2-e4

Common mistake: For this lesson, play the king's pawn: e2 to e4. It claims the centre and opens the bishop.

Black answers

Black to move

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq e3 0 1

Black answers in the centre too: pawn to e5. Now the pawns face each other.

Step 3 · Knights first

White to move

Explore the moves

Starting position

Read the full continuation
  1. 2.Nf3 — Your knight has left its starting square and now influences the centre.
FENrnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 2

Develop a knight toward the centre. Knight to f3 also attacks the pawn on e5.

The move: Ng1-f3

Common mistake: Bring a knight out: g1 to f3, where it attacks the pawn on e5.

Black defends

Black to move

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 1 2

Black defends the pawn and develops at the same time: knight to c6.

Step 4 · Then a bishop

White to move

Explore the moves

Starting position

Read the full continuation
  1. 3.Bc4 — Knight and bishop out, both looking at the centre and beyond. One more thing before you attack.
FENr1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/4p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 2 3

Now a bishop. From c4 it points at f7 — the weakest square around Black's king.

The move: Bf1-c4

Common mistake: Develop the bishop: f1 to c4, aiming at f7.

Black mirrors you

Black to move

FEN: r1bqkbnr/pppp1ppp/2n5/4p3/2B1P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 3 3

Black mirrors you: bishop to c5. Both sides have developed two pieces.

Step 5 · King to safety

White to move

Explore the moves

Starting position

Read the full continuation
  1. 4.O-O — Castled. Centre pawn, knight, bishop, king to safety — the first ten moves, in four.
FENr1bqk1nr/pppp1ppp/2n5/2b1p3/2B1P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R w KQkq - 4 4

Castle. Your king goes to g1 and the rook on h1 joins the game.

The move: O-O

Common mistake: Get the king safe first: castle by moving the king from e1 to g1.

What you learned

Develop towards the centre and secure your king. Avoid unnecessary repeat moves, but answer threats and take tactical opportunities.