CENTER

The four squares d4, e4, d5 and e5 in the middle of the board. Strategically the most important squares of the board. In the opening, the player who controls the centre has the advantage. The control is generally regarded as an essential feature if a complete and sound development. Siegbert Tarrasch advocated that the early occupation of e4 and d4 with Pawns constitutes ‘the alpha and omega of all opening strategy’. Aron Nimzowitch pointed out that this control of the centre was an advantage only as long it could be maintained.

[Event “?”]
[Site “?”]
[Date “????.??.??”]
[Round “?”]
[White “New game”]
[Black “?”]
[Result “*”]
[Variant “illegal”]
[SetUp “1”]
[FEN “8/8/8/3pp3/3PP3/8/8/8 w – – 0 1”]
[PlyCount “0”]