Your First Game Plan — Chess Foundations, Lesson 10
The three opening principles every beginner should follow: control the center, develop your knights and bishops, and castle your king to safety.
This is lesson 10 of ten in Chess Foundations, a free beginner course from Endgame Society. Each lesson is short, written in plain language, and built around a board you can move pieces on while you read.
Three opening principles that will win you games immediately.
You now know all the rules. But rules alone won't win games — you need a plan. Here are three opening principles that will immediately make you stronger than most beginners:
1. Control the center. The four center squares (d4, d5, e4, e5) are the most important real estate on the board. Pieces in the center control more squares and can reach both sides quickly.
2. Develop your pieces. Get your knights and bishops out early. Every move you make should bring a new piece into the game. Don't move the same piece twice in the opening unless forced.
3. Castle early. Get your king to safety by castling within the first 10 moves. A king stuck in the center is a target.
These three principles guide virtually every opening in chess.
1.e4 — White's most popular first move. It occupies the center, opens diagonals for the queen and bishop, and follows all three opening principles.
After a few moves, both sides have developed knights. Notice how the knights aim toward the center. Next: develop bishops and castle.
Work through the lessons in order and you will finish knowing how every piece moves, how games end, and how to plan your first few moves without memorising anything.
Our courses run from the rules of the board to endgame technique. Lessons are interactive: you read a short passage, then play the position out on a real board before moving on.
First Chess Opening Principles — Center, Knights, Castle | Foundations