Control the Center

Central squares command more diagonals — and more captures.

Pieces on the four central files can reach more of the board than pieces jammed in the corners.

A pawn on a central square (columns C–F, rows 3–4) has up to four forward diagonals and can almost always join a capture chain.

Early game: advance your center pawns a touch faster than your wings. Wing pawns left behind become targets once the center opens.

Principle: Place pieces where they have the most mobility.

Practice this principle

Central Fork

Win the center with a forcing move.