Not moving the same piece twice is the opening rule that each move should develop a new piece, unless a second move wins material or answers a threat.
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The opening is a race to develop. Each time one piece moves again, a piece at home stays there, and the opponent gets a free move to bring out another.
How to do it
- 1Before moving a developed piece again, look for a piece still at home.
- 2Move a piece twice only to capture, to escape an attack or to stop a threat.
- 3When your opponent moves one piece back and forth, keep developing and open the centre.
For your level
Move each piece once at the start. Bring out a new piece instead.
Check you have it
Pitch it for:
Question 1 of 1
Play the moves through and count. How much material has the attacker won?
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Common mistakes
- Moving a developed piece back home because it felt unsafe, with no real threat against it.
- Chasing enemy pieces with one knight while the rest of your army waits at home.
Questions
- Is it ever right to move the same piece twice in the opening?
- Yes, when the move wins material, escapes an attack or meets a threat. In the Ruy Lopez, White's bishop often goes from b5 to a4 to b3 because Black's pawns attack it.