General rules

I think this post should be very useful for beginners and intermediate players, and certainly not a waste of time for more advanced players.

Lasker's rules for the opening

1. Do not move any pawns in the opening of a game but the King and Queen pawns.
2. Do not move any piece twice in the opening, but put it at once on the right square.
3. Bring out your knights before developing your bishops, especially the Queen's Bishop.
4. Do not pin the adverse King Knight (ie. by Bg5) before your opponent has castled

GM Reuben Fine on the opening:

1. In the initial position White, because of the extra move, has a slight advantage. Consequently:
2. White's problem in the opening is to secure the better position, while...
3. Black's problem is to secure equality.

Fine's rules for the opening

1. Open with either the e-pawn or the d-pawn.
2. Wherever possible, make a good developing move which threatens something or adds to the pressure on the centre.
3. Develop knights before bishops.
4. Pick the most suitable square for a piece and develop it there once and for all.
5. Make one or two pawn moves in the opening, not more.
6. Do not bring your queen out too early.
7. Castle as soon as possible, preferably on the king's side.
8. Play to get control of the centre.
9. Always try to maintain at least one pawn in the centre.
10. Do not sacrifice without a clear and adequate reason, eg.:
    • it secures a tangible advantage in development
    • it deflects the opponent's queen
    • it prevents the opponent from castling
    • it enables a strong attack to be developed

    • Fine's two last questions to be asked before a move is made:

    • How does it affect the centre?
    • How does it fit in with the development of my other pieces and pawns?

    • Nimzovitch's Seven Axioms

      (from My System)
    • Development is to be understood as the strategic advance of the troops toward the frontier line (the line between the fourth and fifth ranks).
    • A pawn move must not in itself be regarded as a devloping move, but merely as an aid to development.
    • To be ahead in development is the ideal to be aimed for.
    • Exchange with resulting gain of tempo.
    • Liquidation, with consequent development or disembarrassment.
    • The pawn centre must be mobile.
    • There is no time for pawn hunting in the opening, except for centre pawns.

    • Suetin's four principles for advanced players

    • The fight for control of the centre
    • The striving for the quickest and most active development.
    • The creation of conditions that permit early castling.
    • The formation of an advantageous pawn structure

    • GM Hort's 13 rules for all players

    • Take advantage of every tempo.
    • Do not make pawn moves without careful planning.
    • Begin the game with a centre pawn, and develop the minor pieces so that they influence the centre.
    • Develop flexibly!
    • Develop harmoniously! Play with all your pieces
    • Do not make aimless moves. Each move must be part of a definite plan.
    • Do not be eager for material gain. The fight for time is much more important than the fight for material, especially in open positions.
    • A weakening of your own pawns may be accepted only if it is compensated by a more active placement of your pieces.
    • With the help of your pawns, try to get an advantage in space and weaken your opponent's pawn position.
    • Do not obstruct your pawns by grouping your pieces directly in front of them; pawns and pieces must work together.
    • During the first few moves, pay special attention to the vulnerable KB2 square on both sides.
    • Remember that the poor placement of even a single piece may destroy the coordination of the other pieces.
    • With White, exploit the advantage of having the first move and try to gain the initiative. With Black, try to organize counterplay.

    • GM Portisch on forming a repertoire:

      "Your only task in the opening is to reach a playable middlegame."
    • SOURCE: http://exeterchessclub.org.uk/content/ten-rules-opening