Openings and planning

How to leave the first ten moves with a position worth playing.

• Controlling the CenterPut pawns and pieces where they reach e4, d4, e5 and d5.
• Fast DevelopmentBring the knights and bishops out early, each one once.
• King Safety (Castling)Castle early, then leave the pawns in front of your king alone.
• Not Moving the Same Piece TwiceEach opening move should bring a new piece into play.
• Queen Out Too EarlyAn early queen gets chased, and each chasing move develops a piece. 9 puzzles
• Choosing Open or Closed OpeningsPick openings that lead to the kind of game you play well.
• Pawn Structure MemoryRemember the pawn shape an opening leaves. The plans come with it.
• Gambit PlayGive a pawn early to gain time, open lines or the centre.
• TranspositionsThe same position, reached by a different order of moves.
• Flank OpeningsFight for the centre from the side with c4, Nf3 or g3.
• Classical OpeningsPawns in the middle, pieces out, castle. The approach to learn first.
• Hypermodern OpeningsLet the opponent build a big centre, then attack it.
• Isolation of Flank PawnsGive up the bishop pair to leave the opponent lasting pawn weaknesses.
• Playing for a Pawn MajorityLeave the opening with a healthy pawn majority the opponent cannot match.
• Development TempoCount each side's developed pieces. The count tells you what to do.
• Memorizing Key LinesLearn the ideas first, then memorise only the forcing lines.
• Studying Pawn BreaksThe pawn move that opens the position, and how to prepare it.
• Sidestepping TrapsAsk what the opponent's last move attacks. That habit stops most traps. 12 puzzles
• Evaluating PositionsMaterial, kings, pawns, piece activity: the checklist that gives a plan.
• Transitioning to MiddlegameWhen the pieces are out, stop following rules and make a plan.
• Fried Liver AttackWhite sacrifices a knight on f7 to drag the black king out.