Opening Principles
Hi guys, this is my 2nd blog, and it is about opening principles, so, what are opening principles?
Well, that's what we are going to learn today!
Many beginners and young players find openings fascinating, the different gambits, lines and many more, but the truth is, opening principles are what matter, not openings!
So, what are the principles?
Principle 1: Control the centre!
Controlling the centre is a big part in chess, it means that in the middlegame and endgame your pieces are more active, and many more, so let's look at an example:
e4 is one of the most commonly played first moves, it helps control the centre, and it allows the light-squared bishop to move soon!
d4 is another very common first move, it also controls the centre, whilst this time allowing the dark-squared bishop come out soon!
What if this move was played back to you when you played e4, what would you play now?
Don't be afraid to go d4! Now White is controlling the centre whilst allowing other pieces to come out soon, but Black can only move two Knights, which they could have moved on the first move and a Rook, which can only move 1 square!
Black now play another move which doesn't follow the opening principles! What should we play now? We have so many options! Which leads to our next opening principle!
Principle 2: Get your minor pieces out!
We are carrying on from the other principle, taking the same diagram! So, this Knight move for White get a piece out whilst clearing the Kingside ready to Castle soon!
Once again, Black doesn't follow the opening principles, and move another pawn on the side of the board!
This move gets another minor piece out, this time the Knight on the Queenside, White is already in a great position following the opening principles!
Black worsens the position even more, so now, what do we do?
White moves the bishop, it doesn't get a long diaganol or anything but still manages to clear the whole of the Kingside and is ready to Castle soon!
Black moves the Rook which now means he can't castle Kingside now!
White finishes getting the minor pieces out and is now all set to Castle soon!
Well, Black moves another Rook which means he can't Castle for sure, and now is in a devastating position!
Principle 3: Castling
White Castles, and brings the King to safety and now can start an attack on the Black King as it can't Castle!
I hope you enjoyed my article!!
Bye for now!!
