How to Use the Center of the Board in Chess

The goal of chess is to capture the opponent's king. The game cannot be won without using the center of the board to restrict and dominate the opponent's movement. The overall strategy of chess is to control as much area of the chess board as possible. Here's how to control the center of the board for the best chance of winning at chess.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Develop the game strategy by focusing on the important pieces: queen, bishops, knights and rooks. These are the chess player's main pieces and the pawns are used in support of these major pieces.

2. Use the king's pawn to move into the center of the board. Follow this by moving the knight directly adjacent to the pawn. The movement of the knight is developed in this way.

3. Counter the opponent's next move by bringing the bishop into the center of the playing board. This also increases the vulnerability of the opponent's king.

4. Protect the king's pawn by moving a second pawn into the center of the board. The center of the board is rapidly being brought under control.

5. Bring the second knight into the game by moving it into the center of the board. The center of the board now has 2 knights, 2 pawns and a bishop.

6. Castle the king to protect it from being put into check. Due to the movement of the pieces into the center, the opponent has open space in which to go on the offensive, but the pieces in the center endanger the opponent's king as well.

7. Move the second bishop into the center of the board. Do not develop the queen until last; moving the queen too early is a beginner's mistake.