

Remember this: a knight is best placed in the middle 4×4, thus from f3-f6-c6-c3. The same piece, but a 4x difference in controlled squares (and possible destinations)! Now compare it to the absolutely sad knight on a8, which only controls 2 squares. That is why Chess players sometimes refer to a knight in the center as ‘octopus’. The white knight posted centrally on e4 has 8 squares under control. To visualize the difference between center vs side we can look at two totally different knights:ĭifference between a central Knight vs a Knight in the corner

That is why you should fight from move 1. The reason is pretty simple: controlling the center of the board is crucial in chess. You might have asked yourself why most people suggest you start with either 1.e4 or 1.d4. I’ll just cry a little…Ĭhess Strategy #1: Control The Center Of The Board
