Define Development

Every chess player knows that that development is necessary at the beginning of the game. What does the word development mean? How do you define this critically important chess term?

It means putting your minor pieces, rooks and queen out of their starting points (like a "knight on b1" or a "bishop on c8" ) into a square where they have better mobility or perform a certain task (like a "knight on c3"). Rooks are preferably placed on open or semi-open files, and queens are mostly used for attacking purposes. I believe thats it.

It means putting your minor pieces, rooks and queen out of their starting points (like a "knight on b1" or a "bishop on c8" ) into a square where they have better mobility or perform a certain task (like a "knight on c3"). Rooks are preferably placed on open or semi-open files, and queens are mostly used for attacking purposes. I believe thats it.

that double post

I am a Muslim. .İslam is perfect.. But I am . not..lf ..I make a mistake Do not blame Islam. .But blame me..

I am a Muslim. .İslam is perfect.. But I am . not..lf ..I make a mistake Do not blame Islam. .But blame me..

OH NO, A MUSLIM! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY A MUSLIM THAT TALKED ABOUT SOMETHING WE DONT CARE.

The dude asked about development, not if you were muslim.

Later in the game that would be called activity, not development.

jod200 wrote:

"I am a Muslim. .İslam is perfect.. But I am . not..lf ..I make a mistake Do not blame Islam. .But blame me.. "

Why come to a chess forum to brag about your imaginary friend fantasy life?

Blame him.

Nope, pawns don't count when considering development. 

Sometimes, a piece can be well developed without ever having been moved. 

Ziryab is looking for something more subtle than "bring your pieces to the center of the board".

I don't think there's a simple definition of development that covers everything. The basic principle, and the reason the center is so important, is that the pieces should be brought to squares where they exhibit maximum force. This means that they must work together coherently. A piece may be placed in the center of the board, but if it's not doing anything there, it isn't well developed. One badly placed piece can mean the difference between a good position and a bad one.

I'm teaching a class at chess camp tomorrow on development. I've read most of my library this weekend compiling definitions. It seems so simple, and yet it's a pretty vague term. For some, the word mobilization substitutes. Time, a central element of chess in the writings of Staunton, Morphy, Steinitz, Tarrasch, and many since, is usually mentioned in conjunction with development.

Dan Heisman calls development a pseudo-element, but shows how each of his seven elements relate: mobility, flexibility, center control, vulnerability, piece coordination, time, and speed. He does note that once his students understand his seven elements, he can say they have "neglected their development" during postgame analysis as shorthand for several or all of the seven.

An example of this is the R on a8 for Black in the Benko.

To develop is to mature... As your position matures you can move foward with your plans... Maybe you can use that kind of a metaphor to teach development in chess?

I think it means that it is difficult to get a touchdown when all of your players are still on the bench.

I am a bunny. Bunnies are perfect. So I am perfect. If there's a mistake I blame all of you.

Development means being better than before.

for bunicula (the undead bunny 🐰 rabbit)