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Lesson 8

Starting Out a Chess Game: Opening Principles!


Part 1: The Basics of Development and Queen Play in the Opening Concepts:
Developing your pieces! Rules of piece movement: Don!t move the same piece t"ice!# $o" to use and %OT use your &ueen in the opening!

The Most Important Rules to the Opening: 1) e!elop ") e!elop #) an$ e!elop! cuuuuuuuuC Development literally means to improve by expanding#' To (rhb1kgn4} develop your pieces in chess is to activate them( 70p0p0p0p} expanding your position )y moving each piece off of its 6wdwdwdwd} original s&uare and into the game' *rgua)ly the most 5dwdwdwdw} important thing a chess player needs to +no" is that he,she &wdwdwdwd} cannot "in "ithout using the strength of the entire army!

3dwdwdwdw} 2P)P)P)P)} Though "e "ill tal+ more a)out all the "ays to develop( %$NGQI !"} "here to put your pieces( and "hich ones to develop first in #$%&'()*+, Part - . all you need to +no" for no" is that getting your
Pieces get bored on their original squares! Complete %our pieces out and into the game is a super/smart move! The first step to "inning every chess game is development'''

cuuuuuuuuC (rhb1kgn4} 70p0p0p0p} 6wdwdwdwd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wd )PGwd} 3dw!wdNdw} 2P)PdQ)P)} %dwd"$wIw} #$%&'()*+,
An example of... Super Development!

e!elopment! *s "e sa" in Diagram 1( your pieces "ill gro" )ored at home( &uic+ly )ecome very la0y' %o 1ing li+es a la0y "or+force! 2ince "e +no" the )est chessman is an active and fighting chessman( "e should no" reali0e that getting our pieces out first and as &uic+ly as possi)le is very smart! * 3lead in development3 means that you have more pieces ta+ing part in the game than your opponent' 4f a player is 3behind in development3( that means he,she has more pieces sitting at home and less pieces developed 5in the game6' $ere our e7ample sho"s the "hite pieces "ith a huge lead in development# over the )lac+ pieces!

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Lesson 8
Rule &': on(t Mo!e a Piece T)ice in the Opening* or at least +our ,irst - Mo!es! cuuuuuuuuC Our fourth rule immediately follo"ing the )asic concept of (rdw1w4kd} developing your pieces( is a tip that goes hand in hand "ith good 70p0wgp0p} development principles' Before moving a piece a second time in 6wdn0whwd} the Opening: not one( not t"o( not three( )ut all o, +our minor 5dwdw0wGw} ./nights an$ 0ishops) pieces should )e developed and &wd dPdbd} "or+ing together in )attle'

3dw!PdNdw} 2P)Pdw)P)} 4n our e7ample diagram to Rule :; "e see good development for %$wdQd"Iw} )oth "hite and )lac+' Though "e have not officially transitioned #$%&'()*+, into a <iddlegame until the oo!s are connected 5see Part -6(
All the minor pieces are in the game! "ith a good development strategy( all the minor pieces should )e playing# )y move seven'''

Mo!ing a Piece T)ice: The 12ception to the Rule! cuuuuuuuuC Though "e must al"ays )e careful "hen finding e7ceptions to (rdbdkgn4} very sound( very important principles . as "ith every rule( there 70p0pdp0p} "ill )e opportunities to )rea+ it "ith good reason' $ere "e have 6wdndwdwd} provided a simple e7ample designed to sho" e7actly in "hat type 5dwdw0wdw} of position you might need to do so'

&wd dPdw1} 3dwdwdNdw} 2P)P)w)P)} %$NGQIwd"} #$%&'()*+,


"hen free material is offered# $e can put our principles aside... %.&xh% $ins immediately!

Though it is a little o)vious( and perhaps too easy . the point is made: =ou should consider moving a piece t"ice "henever a large amount of material can )e "on' >hite plays ;'%7h;!( "inning the Queen and li+ely the game' The same idea might apply if another piece "as undefended and free for the capture#' 4n chess terms( these types of easily "on pieces are +no"n as hanging or loose'''

Rule &3: /eep %our 4ueen Sa,e: 5 on(t Let Momma Pla+ )ith the /i$s6! cuuuuuuuuC ?esson @ may have left the false impression that to )ring your (rhbdkgn4} Queen out early for a chance at a &uic+ mate# is a )ullet/proof 70p0w0p0p} plan' Though it is necessary for every chess player to know the 6wd-dwdwd} )asic chec+mates( it isn't necessary that every player practice 5d dwdwdw} )ringing their Queen out early'

As po$erful as she is# 'ig (omma should not play $ith the !ids...
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&wdw)wdwd} 3dw!wdNdw} 2P)Pdw)P)} %$wGQIwd"} #$%&'()*+,

%ormally an early development of the Queen leads to disaster' Because the Queen is "orth so much more than the minor pieces( getting mi7ed up# "ith the little guys early is very ris+y for the Airst ?ady#' <ost chess coaches "ill strongly oppose this idea' One e7ample is: 1'e; dB 5trying to )ring the Queen out aggressively6 -'e7dB Q7dB C'%cC QgB ;'%fC QcB B'd; QcD B)B!( "inning the Queen''' Page - of 9

Lesson 8

Starting Out a Chess Game: Opening Principles!


Part -: *dvanced Development: Controlling the CenterE Connecting the Roo+sE and Playing "ith Purpose Concepts:
Developing your pieces . to"ard the center and "ith purpose! Fetting castled and connecting the Roo+s )efore move 1G! Developing "ith a plan and purpose . creating and defending threats!

7$!ance$ e!elopment* Principle 1 8 e!elop To)ar$ an$ Control the Center cuuuuuuuuC >ith the )asic concepts of development understood( it is (rhb1kgn4} important to learn the "hen( "here and "hy "e should 70p0p0p0p} develop our pieces' The most important area of the )oard 6wdwdwdwd} to control( "hether )y physical occupation of the pieces or 5dwd./wdw} )y threats( is the center of the board. Beginner!s should &wdw/.dwd} memori0e it: Pieces do 9etter in the center!#

3dwdwdwdw} 2P)P)P)P)} By placing each piece on random s&uares( one at a time( %$NGQI !"} and then counting the num)er of s&uares they attac+ . it #$%&'()*+, doesn!t ta+e long to reali0e that a +night( )ishop( and every
e%# d%# e) and d) are the most important squares to control in the center!

other piece controls more space( or at least maintains more options of movement( "hen in the center of the )oard'

57 /night on the Rim is Grim6 8 Goo$ Pieces Pla+ in the Center o, the 0oar$! cuuuuuuuuC Perhaps the piece that most o)viously teaches us the (wdwdwdwd} importance of central control is the 1night' Though all 7dwd.d.dw} pieces are )etter "hen attac+ing from and to"ard the 6wd.dwd.d} center( "e see a huge difference )et"een the 1night on eB 5dwdwhwdw} and the 1night on a1'

&wd.dwd.d} 3d.d.d.dw} 2wd.dwdwd} %!wdwdwdw} #$%&'()*+,


*ere $e see +ust ho$ important the center is!

4n this position the eB/1night controls eight s&uares( compared to t"o s&uares )y its "hite counterpart' *lso highlighted here is the amount of options the eB/1night has( "ith access to the 1ing/side( Queen/side and center areas of the )oard' 4n a <iddlegame )attle for e7ample( options of are very important in finding a good plan of attac+'

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Lesson 8
7$!ance$ e!elopment* Principle " 8 Get %our /ing Sa,el+ Out o, the Center! cuuuuuuuuC *long "ith developing your pieces to"ard the center( (rdbdw4kd} getting castled should )e on the top of your list! Castling is 70p0wdp0w} the most efficient "ay to safe/guard your +ing( get your 6whndwdw0} Roo+5s6 into the game( and coordinate your army . all in 5dwgw!wdw} one move! Castling is also one of the final steps to"ard &wdwdwdwd} completing your development and the Opening stage'

3d )-dwdP} 2P)w!w)Pd} *s the center )ecomes the main )attlefield( it ma+es %$wGQ$wIw} perfect sense to e7it# "ith the 1ing( "hile entering# "ith a #$%&'()*+, Roo+' *s "e see in our e7ample position from the Fiuoco
"hite,s last move./.&f0xe)pa$n $ould not have been possible $ithout castling...

Piano Opening in the game 1ramni+/1rasen+o" >iH+ aan Iee -GGC( if the e1/Roo+ and the g1/1ing s"itched places( "hite "ould )e in serious trou)le "ith an unprotected 1night and an e7posed e/file'

7$!ance$ e!elopment* Principle # 8 Get Castle$ an$ Connect Roo:s 9+ Mo!e 1; cuuuuuuuuC This advanced principle can serve as a good 3insurance (r/./.4kd} plan3( in case you start follo"ing the rules of development 70bdn1p0p} )ut someho" decide to get la0y along the "ay' =our 3plan 6w0wgphwd} of development3 isn!t complete until you get castled and 5dw0p!wdw} your Rooks are connected' 4f you read )et"een the lines( &wdP)wdwd} "hat does it mean if your Roo+s are connected#J

3dPd )Qdw} 2PGw!w)P)} 4t means you have 516 developed all your minor pieces( 5-6 %$././"Iw} gotten castled( and 5C6 finally )rought your Queen out to a #$%&'()*+, more active 5though hopefully safe6 s&uare' 4f you have
'lac! +ust played .....'b1- 2he oo!s 3onnect!

connected your Roo+s( than you have li+ely completed the first stage of the game 5the Opening6 and are no" preparing to play the <iddlegame''' Food Ho)!

Great Chess Pla+ers Castle to Chec:mate! cuuuuuuuuC To castle or not to castle''' is not a &uestion! Aor great (rhwdw4wd} chess players . li+e this game )et"een Kd"ard ?as+er and 70b0p1w0w} 2ir Feorge Thomas( ?ondon 191- . castling is al"ays in 6w0wdp!wd} the "or+s'# $ere the position is "hite to play and 5dwdwdwdw} chec+mate in one move' Can you see itJ

&wdw)wdNd} 3dwdwdw)w} 2P)Pd )w$} %$wdwIw0w} #$%&'()*+,


3astle and... 3hec!mate!

1L'G/G/G!! is chec+mate 5so "as 1L'1d-6! >ith "hite!s last move 51@'Rh- chec+6 forcing the )lac+ 1ing to g1( the final )lo" is delivered "ith style' Though a chessplayer "ill not al"ays deliver chec+mate "hen castling( he or she is almost al"ays headed in the right direction'

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Lesson 8
7$!ance$ Principles* e!elop )ith a Purpose: The Ru+ Lope< or Spanish Game cuuuuuuuuC Though there are many great games and Opening (rdb1kgn4} variations that can teach you ho" to develop "ith a plan 70p0pdp0p} and purpose on every move( one of the most common . 6wdndwdwd} and perhaps most important . for )eginning chess/players 5d dw0wdw} is the Ruy ?ope0 or 2panish Fame'

&wd1dPdwd} 3dwdwdNdw} 2P)P)w)P)} %$NGQIwd"} #$%&'()*+,


4very move has a specific threat or idea!

* favorite opening choice of many great >orld Champions( including Bo))y Aischer and Farry 1asparov( the Ruy ?ope0 defines developing "ith a plan# on every move: 1'e; eBE )oth moves attac+ the center . -'%fCE attac+ing the eB/ pa"n . -'''%cDE defending the eB/pa"n . C'B)BE attac+ing the cD/1night "ho also defends the eB/pa"n( continues'''

7$!ance$ Principles* e!elop )ith a Purpose: The Ru+ Lope< or Spanish Game cuuuuuuuuC C'''aDE attac+ing the )B/)ishop . ;'Ba;E defending the (rdb1kgw4} )ishop and maintaining pressure on the cD/1night 5if 7dp0pdp0p} ;'B7cD d7cD B'%7eB Qd;! D'%fC Q7e;M "ins )ac+ the pa"n 6pdndwhwd} "ith chec+6 . ;'''%fDE attac+ing "hite!s e;/pa"n . B'G/GE 5dwdw0wdw} safe/guarding the 1ing and indirectly defending the eB/ & dwdPdwd} pa"n due to B'''%7e; )eing met )y D'Re1! *ttac+ing every 3dwdwdNdw} piece along the e/file'''

2P)P)w)P)} %$NGQ/"Iw} *nd the game continues "ith more moves of specific #$%&'()*+, purpose' *s a chess/player improves( and using all the
As sho$n# attac!ing or defending your center is !ey $ith every move!

pieces is no longer a ne" concept( the most important thing to esta)lish is that every developing move can and should create a threat or defend against and opponent!s threat'''

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Lesson 8

Starting Out a Chess Game: Opening Principles!


4nstructor!s Fuide
Though there are a num)er of different e7ercises that might help a )eginning chess player learn the )asic principles of the opening( the )est "ay for someone to understand and apply these concepts is practical application' Time to play! $ave your students play games against one another( and "hen a player loses a piece 5or even the game6 )ecause of lac+ of development or failure to use all their pieces( point this out and remind the student5s6 that if their development had )een completed . the Roo+s "ere connected( and their entire army "as "or+ing together# . that mista+e might have )een avoided' *fter learning the Quic+ <ates# of ?esson @ 5Part 16 . )eginning chess players "ill "ant to develop their Queen soon and oftenE therefore( it is important to teach your students ho" to prevent &uic+ chec+mate tric+s "ith natural developing movesE this "ill com)at the temptation to develop the Queen early' Practical =otes an$ 7$!ice 8 Lesson 8: To help +our stu$ents un$erstan$ the concept that each piece is more acti!e an$ there,ore more e,,ecti!e )hen place$ in the center* place each piece in the center o, the 9oar$ an$ line up enem+ .pieces o, the opposite color) on s>uares that can 9e capture$ 9+ that piece? Then $o the same ,or a piece place$ on the e$ge o, the 9oar$? Stu$ents )ill >uic:l+ reali<e that a centrall+ locate$ piece has a 9etter chance o, capturing enem+ chessmen? Example: 7 /night in the center can capture up to eight enem+ pieces* )hile a /night on the e$ge captures less? 7 ,un an$ $irect )a+ ,or stu$ents to learn the concepts o, $e!elopment an$ using their arm+ is ,or a coaches to ha!e their stu$ents pla+ practice games )hile monitoring them: 1? The coach can then )al: 9+ each game in progress@ "? I, a,ter ,i,teen mo!es there still remains minor pieces on the 9ac: ran: 8 simpl+ ta:e those pieces o,, o, the 9oar$ an$ tell the stu$ent that 5I .the coach) nee$ them ,or m+ collection o, un)ante$ pieces6@ #? I, the stu$ent o9Aects* simpl+ a$$ 5)ell* it $i$n(t loo: li:e +ou )ere going to use them an+)a+B!6

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Lesson 8 Lesson 8: Connect the Roo:s


4n each position( "hite "ants to complete development )y connecting the Roo+s# in as fe" moves as possi)le' >rite the num)er of moves it "ould ta+e for the "hite Roo+s to 3see each other'# *s a )onus( dra" arro"s to sho" the moves "hite could ma+e to get there!

cuuuuuuuuC (rdw1w4kd} 70p0bdp0p} 6wdn0whwd} 5dwdw0wGw} &wg dPdwd} 3dw!PdNdP} 2P)Pdw)Pd} %$wdQIwd"} #$%&'()*+,
Develop and Connect the Rooks! How many moves? _____

cuuuuuuuuC (rdbdkdw4} 70p0php0p} 6wgndw1wd} 5dwdwdwdw} &wd !Pdwd} 3dw)wGwdw} 2P)wdw)P)} %$NdQIwd"} #$%&'()*+,
Develop and Connect the Rooks! How many moves? _____

cuuuuuuuuC (rdb1w4kd} 70pdngp0p} 6wdpdphwd} 5dwdpdwGw} &wdP)wdwd} 3dw!w)Ndw} 2P)wd )P)} %$wdQIwd"} #$%&'()*+,
Develop and Connect the Rooks! How many moves? _____
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cuuuuuuuuC (wdrdkgn4} 7dpdbdp0p} 6w1ndpdwd} 50w0p)wdw} &wdw)wdwd} 3)w)wdNdw} 2w) dw)P)} %$NGQIwd"} #$%&'()*+,
Develop and Connect the Rooks! How many moves? _____
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Lesson 8 Lesson 8: Counting e!elopment


4n each position( circle the color of the player "ho is further ahead in development 5has moved more pieces off of their starting s&uares6' Circle >hite#( Blac+# or K&ual#'

cuuuuuuuuC (wdw4rdkd} 70p0-dp0p} 6wdndwhwd} 5dwdp0wdw} &wgwdwdbd} 3dw!P)Ndw} 2P)Pdw)P)} %$wGQI d"} #$%&'()*+,
Who has developed more pieces? White Black Equal

cuuuuuuuuC (wdk4rdwd} 70p0-dp0p} 6wdn0whwd} 5dwgw0wdw} &wdPdwdbd} 3dw!PdN)w} 2P)wdP)w)} %$wGQI d"} #$%&'()*+,
Who has developed more pieces? White Black Equal

cuuuuuuuuC (rdwdw4kd} 7dpd-0pgp} 6pdn0bhpd} 5dwdwdwGw} &wdwdPdwd} 3dN!wdwdw} 2P)P2 )P)} %$wdwd"Iw} #$%&'()*+,
Who has developed more pieces? White Black Equal
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cuuuuuuuuC (rdw1kgw4} 70p0bdp0p} 6wdn0whwd} 5dwdw0wGw} &wd dPdwd} 3dw!PdNdw} 2P)Pdw)P)} %$wdQd"Iw} #$%&'()*+,
Who has developed more pieces? White Black Equal
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Lesson 8

Starting Out a Chess Game: Opening Principles!


*ns"er 1ey
>or+sheet Page 1 / Connect the Roo+s#:
iagram &1 8 / moves- 1'Qe- or d- and -'G/G or G/G/G OR 1'G/G and -'Qe- or d-' iagram &" 8 / moves- 1'd1/Q develops and -'G/G or G/G/G OR 1'G/G and -' d1/Q develops' iagram &# . 0 moves- 1'%d- or aC( -'d1/Q develops and C'G/G or G/G/G OR reverse order' iagram &' . % moves- Develop )1/%( c1/B( d1/Q and G/G or G/G/G OR reverse order'

>or+sheet Page - / Counting Development#:


iagram &1 8 Blac+ iagram &" 8 K&ual iagram &# . Blac+ iagram &' . >hite

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