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How to Play a Strong Opening Chess Game

Chess is a game enjoyed by millions of people around the world, with new players learning the game's rules every day. While the rules are relatively easy to learn and are required for this tutorial, mastering the strategies and tactics necessary to win a game of chess is another matter. The simplest way to improve is to start the game correctly. The beginning of a chess game is referred to as the opening game. Use the following opening principles to gain a strategic stronghold at the board's center, which will lead to a winning game.

Things You'll Need

Chessboard with alphanumeric notion symbols

Instructions

- 1
  Position the chessboard so there is a light colored square in the lower right-hand corner. If the board has alpha-numeric symbols on it, the lower right hand corner will have an "h" and a "1" below and to the right of the square. Alphanumeric symbols are used to denote positions on a chess board. The squares the run horizontally across the board are called "ranks" and are numbered 1 through 8. The squares that run vertically are called "files" and are numbered a through h. White makes the first move.
- 2
  
  The pawn in front of the king can make the strongest first move.
  
  Develop a central pawn. There are eight pawns for each player. The action during a chess game takes place at the board's center. The center consists of the d4, d5, e4 and e5 squares. This reduces the number of potential pawn moves to two, the d and e pawns. The strongest pawn to move is the e pawn (in front of the king). Move the pawn to e4. This attacks the d5 square and allows the light squared bishop and queen free access along the diagonals running from f1 to a6 and from d1 to h5.
- 3
  Move the minor pieces towards the center quickly. The minor pieces consist of the knights and bishops. An excellent second move would be to move one of the two knights out to either c3 or f3. Moving the knight to f3 attacks the d4 and e5 squares. This means that any piece the opponent moves to these squares is subject to capture by the knight. The light square bishop can be moved on the next turn along the f1-a6 diagonal, which contributes to the step four, moving the king to safety.
- 4
  
  The knight and bishop need to be moved in order to castle the king.
  
  Move the king to a safe position. In chess, this is called "castling." Refer to a chess rulebook for the specific way in which this move is executed. The reason minor pieces are developed quickly in the opening of the game is because minor pieces can control the center from a distance and they stand between the king and the rook. The king cannot castle unless these minor pieces are out of the way. The act of castling places the king behind a wall of three pawns and a rook. With the king tucked away safely, there is no chance of a sudden attack on the game's most valuable piece.
- 5
  Develop the remaining minor pieces to squares that either attack or control the center of the board. After moving these pieces the game is ready to enter its next phase, the middle game.

Chess & Checkers