Ten Very Good Ideas

For Beginning A Game of Chess

 

1  Open with a center pawn

 

2  Develop with threats

 

3  Knights before Bishops

 

4  Don't move the same piece twice

 

5 Make as few pawn moves as possible

 

6  Don't bring your Queen out too early

 

7  Castle as soon as possible, preferably on the King side

 

8  Always play to gain control of the center

 

9  Try to maintain at least one pawn in the center

 

10 Don't sacrifice without a clear and adequate reason

 

         For example, for a sacrificed pawn you must

a)    gain three tempi, or

b)    deflect the enemy queen, or

c)    prevent castling

d)    build up a strong attack

 

Questions:

 

What is the Center and why is it important?

What is development?

What is a sacrifice?

What is a gambit?