StrategyChess
Chess opening principles: the first ten moves without memorising
You do not need to learn opening names to play the first ten moves well. Six principles, a sample game and the most common early traps will carry you to a good middlegame.
4 min readUpdated By PlayNest team
Why principles beat memorising
Strong players know many opening lines, but they started with principles, and principles still guide them when an opponent leaves the book. If you know why a move is good, you can find it in any position.
The goal of the opening is simple: get your pieces out to good squares, make your king safe, and do not lose material on the way. If you can do those three things in the first ten or so moves, you will reach the middlegame with a fair position. New to the moves? Read chess rules for beginners first.
Principle 1: fight for the centre
The four central squares, d4, e4, d5 and e5, are the most valuable on the board. Pieces in the centre reach the most squares and can switch quickly between sides. Your first move or two should put a pawn there or aim pieces at it.
The classic first moves 1.e4 and 1.d4 both do this. They also open lines for your bishop and queen. Knights to f3 and c3 (or f6 and c6 for Black) cover the centre too.
Principle 2: develop knights and bishops first
Development means moving pieces off their starting squares to useful ones. Knights and bishops are the quickest to develop and the most useful early. A common guideline is knights before bishops, because the best square for a knight is usually clear early, while the bishop's best square depends on how the pawns settle.
Try to move each piece once in the opening rather than moving one piece several times. Every extra move with the same piece is a move your opponent spends developing.
Tip
Count your developed pieces after move eight. If your opponent has four out and you have two, you are behind even if the material is equal.
Principle 3: do not bring the queen out too early
The queen is powerful, which is exactly why she is a liability early on. If she comes out on move two or three, your opponent can attack her with knights and bishops while developing, and you lose time moving her to safety again and again.
There is one famous exception beginners meet: the queen raid aimed at f7, known as the Scholar's Mate. It works against careless defence, and it is covered in checkmate patterns so you can stop it.
Principle 4: castle early
A king in the centre is exposed once the central pawns start trading. Castling, usually kingside within the first ten moves, tucks your king behind pawns and brings a rook toward the middle.
To castle kingside you need the knight and bishop between king and rook developed. That is one more reason to develop those pieces quickly.
Principle 5: connect your rooks
Once your minor pieces are out and you have castled, move the queen one square up to clear the back rank. Now your two rooks see each other, they are connected, and they can move to open files where they are strongest. That is a good sign your opening is complete.
Principle 6: check every move for threats
Most beginner games are decided by pieces left undefended, not by deep strategy. Before each move, ask two questions: what does my opponent's last move threaten, and after my move, is any of my pieces hanging?
Look at every check and capture for both sides first. Count material with the usual values: queen about 9, rook 5, bishop and knight about 3 each, pawn 1.
A sample opening that follows the rules
Here is a solid start for White, with the reason for each move.
- 1.e4: a pawn in the centre, freeing the bishop and queen.
- 2.Nf3: a knight toward the centre, attacking Black's e5 pawn if it is there.
- 3.Bc4: the bishop to an active diagonal aimed at f7, Black's weakest square early on.
- 4.O-O: castle, king safe, rook closer to the centre.
- 5.d3 or c3 and d4: support or claim the centre with another pawn.
- 6.Nc3 or Nbd2, then Re1: finish developing and connect the rooks.
Tip
Our computer opponents use a small opening book for their first moves, so games vary. Try this plan against Nimra or Ayesha and see how they respond.
Practise it
Open our chess game and play White against one of the lower levels. Use Hint if you get stuck, and Takeback to try a different idea. Then play a friend; how to play chess with a friend online shows how to set up a room.
Questions people ask
- What is the best first move in chess?
- 1.e4 and 1.d4 are both excellent because they take the centre and free your pieces. 1.Nf3 and 1.c4 are also strong. The principle matters more than the exact move.
- Why should I not move my queen early?
- Because your opponent can chase her with minor pieces while developing, and you lose time moving her again. Develop knights and bishops first.
- When should I castle?
- Usually within the first ten moves, once the knight and bishop between your king and rook have moved.
- Do I need to memorise openings?
- Not as a beginner. Following the principles of centre, development and king safety will give you a good position in almost every game.
