Chess Opening Principles

The first ten moves decide whether you start the middlegame comfortable or already in trouble. These principles tell you what to do when you don't know the opening — which, as a beginner, is most games.

Before you start

Know how each piece moves and how to castle. New to chess? Begin with the basics or a beginner puzzle first.

Looking for specific openings?

This page explains the ideas. For which openings to play, read the best chess openings for beginners or browse the openings library.

The four opening principles

1Control the center

The squares d4, d5, e4 and e5 are where pieces reach the most of the board. A pawn on e4 or d4 takes central squares away from your opponent and opens lines for your queen and bishops.

1.e4 controls d5 and f5 and frees the queen and the light-squared bishop in one move.

2Develop your knights and bishops

Pieces on their starting squares do nothing. Bring the knights and bishops out toward the center, usually knights first because their best squares (f3 and c3, or f6 and c6) are clear from the start.

2.Nf3 develops a piece and attacks the pawn on e5 at the same time.

3Castle early

The king is exposed in the middle once the center opens. Castling moves it behind a wall of pawns and brings a rook toward the center. Aim to castle within the first ten or so moves.

To castle short, clear the knight and bishop between king and rook — another reason to develop them first.

4Don't waste moves

Every move in the opening should bring a new piece into play. Moving the same piece twice, or bringing the queen out early where it can be chased, gives your opponent free development.

Break this rule only for a reason: to win material, stop a threat, or answer an attack.

The principles in a real opening

The Italian Game follows every principle, which is why it's often the first opening beginners learn:

  1. 1.e4 e5Both sides put a pawn in the center.
  2. 2.Nf3 Nc6White develops and attacks e5; Black develops and defends it.
  3. 3.Bc4 Bc5Both bishops come out toward the center, aiming at f7 and f2.
  4. 4.O-O Nf6White castles; Black develops the second knight and attacks e4.
  5. 5.d3 O-OWhite defends e4 and opens the other bishop; Black castles. Both sides have followed all four principles.

Common opening mistakes

Bringing the queen out early

After 1.e4 e5 2.Qh5 Nc6 3.Bc4 g6 4.Qf3 Nf6, Black has blocked the Scholar's Mate threat and developed two knights, while White's queen has moved twice.

Moving the pawns in front of your king

Early f- and g-pawn moves open a diagonal straight to your king. 1.f3 e5 2.g4 Qh4# is Fool's Mate — the fastest possible checkmate.

Too many pawn moves

Moves like a4 and h4 don't develop anything. Two or three pawn moves in the opening are usually enough; the rest of the time should go to pieces.

Leaving the king in the center

If the center opens while your king is still on e1 or e8, rooks and queens can attack it along the open files. Castle before you start trading central pawns.

Grabbing pawns instead of developing

An extra pawn rarely matters if you are several moves behind in development. Take material when it's safe, not when it costs you your position.

A checklist for every opening move

  1. What did my opponent's last move threaten?
  2. Does my move control the center, develop a piece or make my king safer?
  3. Am I moving a piece that has already moved — and if so, is there a reason?

Put the principles into practice

Pick your openings

One opening for White and one answer each to 1.e4 and 1.d4, with the traps to know.

Best chess openings for beginners

Play the computer

In games against the computer, each move is graded and the opening is named as it appears on the board.

Play & learn free

Continue learning

After the opening comes the fight for material, then converting it.

Chess tactics · Endgames