Decide
Step 1 · Two ways to start
White to move
rnbqkbnr/2ppppp1/pp5p/8/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 4White pushed two centre pawns. Black moved three pawns on the edge. Same number of moves each, but not the same position.
Whose pieces have more moves available right now?
Quick check
- White
- Black
- About the same
Show the correct answer
Correct answer: White — White has 36 legal moves; Black has 18. The pawns on e4 and d4 opened both bishops and the queen, and they take squares away from Black’s pieces.
- Black — Black’s bishops on c8 and f8 are still shut in by their own pawns, and the knights have fewer squares. Count: Black has 18 legal moves, White has 36.
- About the same — Not close: White has 36 legal moves, Black 18. Two centre pawns did that.
Watch
Step 2 · One pawn, two open lines
White to move
rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 11.e4. Look at what just opened: the queen can travel the diagonal to h5, and the f1 bishop can come out as far as a6. Before this move, neither had a single square.
The line: 1.e2-e4
Decide
Step 3 · Black wants the same
Black to move
rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq - 0 1Black’s pieces are just as shut in. One pawn move fixes that.
Which move claims the centre for Black?
Quick check
- Pawn to e5
- Pawn to h5
- Pawn to a6
Show the correct answer
Correct answer: Pawn to e5 — 1…e5. Now Black’s queen and f8 bishop have open lines too, and the pawn on e5 stops White from getting d4 in for free.
- Pawn to h5 — h5 opens nothing in the centre and loosens the pawns in front of Black’s king. After 2.d4 White owns the middle.
- Pawn to a6 — a6 guards b5 and nothing else. White plays 2.d4 and has both centre pawns for free.
Watch
Step 4 · Then the pieces
White to move
rnbqkbnr/pppp1ppp/8/4p3/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 2Black claimed the centre back with 1…e5. Now 2.Nf3: the knight develops toward the middle and attacks e5 in the same move. Pawn first, then the pieces the pawn freed.
The line: 2.Ng1-f3
Your move
Step 5 · Claim the second square
White to move
rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/3p4/4p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 3Black defended e5 with 2…d6, a quiet move that shuts in the f8 bishop. Take your chance: claim the second centre square with a pawn.
Hint: Look for a pawn move that puts a second pawn in the middle and attacks e5.
The move: 3.d2-d4
3.d4. Your pawn attacks e5, and the c1 bishop has an open diagonal for the first time. Two centre pawns against one.
Why not another move?
3.Bf1-c4— A good developing move in most games. Here the lesson asks for the pawn: d4 attacks e5 and opens the c1 bishop. Undo and push it.3.d2-d3— One square only. d3 blocks your own f1 bishop and never challenges e5. Push two squares: d4.3.h2-h3— h3 does nothing for the centre; Black simply develops while you wait. Undo and claim d4.
Decide
Step 6 · Why d4?
Black to move
rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/3p4/4p3/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 3Same board, one question.
What did 3.d4 just do?
Quick check
- It attacks e5 and opens the c1 bishop
- It stops Black from castling
- It protects the e4 pawn
Show the correct answer
Correct answer: It attacks e5 and opens the c1 bishop — Yes. d4 attacks e5, and it opened the c1–h6 diagonal for your bishop. That is why a centre pawn is worth a whole move.
- It stops Black from castling — Castling is not affected by d4 at all. The move’s value is in the centre: it attacks e5 and frees the c1 bishop.
- It protects the e4 pawn — d4 does not protect e4. Pawns guard diagonally, so d4 covers c5 and e5. Its job is to attack e5 and open the c1 bishop.
Your move
Step 7 · Answer the claim
Black to move
r1bqk2r/pppp1ppp/2n2n2/2b1p3/2BPP3/2P2N2/PP3PPP/RNBQK2R b KQkq - 0 5Now you are Black. White has just pushed 5.d4, attacking your bishop and your e5 pawn at once. A centre claim must be answered, not admired.
Hint: The d4 pawn attacks e5 and your bishop. Deal with it directly: capture it.
The move: 5…e5xd4
5…exd4. You took the pawn before it could advance. Now White must recapture, and your pieces keep their squares.
Why not another move?
5…Bc5-b6— You saved the bishop but left the pawn standing, and it rolls: 6.dxe5 hits your knight on f6. Undo; take on d4 first. What follows:6.d4xe55…Bc5-d6— Blocking your own d-pawn shuts in the c8 bishop, and 6.dxe5 still comes. Undo and capture on d4. What follows:6.d4xe5
On your own
Step 8 · On your own
White to move
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/3p4/2p5/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 3Black answered your king’s pawn with a flank pawn, then 2…d6. Choose White’s third move.
Hint: Look at the centre: e4 is in, d4 is empty, and only the c5 pawn contests it.
The move: 3.d2-d4
3.d4. You claimed the second centre square. Black will usually take on d4, and you recapture with the knight, ahead in the centre.
Also good here
3.Nb1-c3— Also good: the knight develops toward the centre first, and d4 can follow. The lesson’s move is 3.d4 straight away.3.Bf1-b5— A sound developing check and a real alternative. The lesson’s move, 3.d4, claims the centre at once.
Why not another move?
3.Bf1-c4— The Italian square, but here Black’s c5 pawn is ready to trade for your d4 push, and the bishop can later be hit by …e6 and …d5. Take the centre first: d4.3.d2-d3— One square. d3 blocks the f1 bishop and leaves c5 unchallenged. Push d4.3.c2-c3— c3 prepares d4, but it spends a whole move. With e4 already in, push d4 now.3.h2-h3— A waiting move. Nothing in the centre changed, and Black develops. Claim d4.
A quick refresher
In the app this position is not part of the lesson itself: it comes back later, as a review, to check that the idea stuck.
Your move
Answer it as Black
Black to move
rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/3p4/2p5/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 3White has just pushed d4. Your c-pawn was placed for this moment.
Hint: White’s pawn on d4 is attacking nothing yet, but leave it and it will advance. Look at your c-pawn.
The move: 3…c5xd4
3…cxd4. You traded a flank pawn for a centre pawn, and the c-file is half-open for your rook later.
Also good here
3…Ng8-f6— Also fine: the knight attacks e4, and you can take on d4 next move. The direct answer is …cxd4.
Why not another move?
3…Nb8-c6— Now 4.d5 rolls forward and hits the knight, which must move again. Undo; capture on d4 first. What follows:4.d4-d5
What you learned
Claim the centre with a pawn early, then bring out the pieces it freed. When your opponent claims it, answer at once.
In your next game
Before an opening pawn move, check captures and checks. If it is safe, put a pawn on d4 or e4. When your opponent puts one there, take it or challenge it before doing anything else.