chess opening

Distraction from what is really important...keeping your horses on the edge. 

"... a B or a Q placed on any of [the squares e4, d4, e5 or d5] will command more squares than anywhere else. Also a Kt placed on any of the four centre squares will be able to move over to either side faster than from any other place. Also in the end game the K placed on any of those four squares will be able to go faster to either side than from any other place. ... the four centre squares are the squares where the battle takes place immediately [in the opening]. Furthermore, as development takes place the pieces are brought out towards the centre of the board, thus perforce making the four centre squares of paramount importance. ... Control of the centre is an essential prerequisite to a successful direct attack against the King. ..." - J. R. Capablanca's Primer of Chess