Development tempo means counting moves spent developing: who has more pieces out, and by how many moves. A tempo is one move.
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The side ahead in development should open the position before the other side catches up. The side behind should finish developing and keep the position closed. Counting tells you which you are.
How to do it
- 1Count each side's developed pieces, plus one for a castled king.
- 2If you are ahead, open lines and look for forcing moves.
- 3If you are behind, develop and castle before opening the position.
For your level
Count how many pieces each side has out. Ahead means open the game. Behind means catch up first.
Common mistakes
- Opening the position while behind in development.
- Counting pawn moves as development. Only pieces count.
Questions
- How much is a tempo worth?
- An old rule of thumb says three tempi are worth about a pawn in the opening. Treat it as a guide: in open positions time counts for more, in closed ones for less.