•                                                                                                   Popular Chess Strategies 
         
    -Beginning chess players discover very quickly that learning how the pieces move is only the tip of the chess playing iceberg. It's usually after several moves of a typical chess game that the question arises, "What now?" Here we will show you general chess principles in the chess opening strategies.
     
     (A very good chess opening move, which basically conforms to all the chess strategy principles discussed. White occupies one key center square with a pawn, also attacking another central point. In addition, the move also liberates the White Queen and King's Bishop)
     
                                                                                       center
     
    -As World Champion Bobby Fischer said of 1.e4, "Best by test." If unopposed White will likely play his d-pawn forward next move,The move 1.d4  also meets our requirements, sending a pawn to the center and attacking another central square. The Queen defends the pawn, and she is free to move forward. In addition, the Queen's Bishop can now develop, and White "threatens" to play his e-pawn up two squares to dominate the center. Even a move like 1.f3  is quite good, bringing the Knight toward the center, and attacking two center squares. The move also brings White closer to castling his King to safety - another goal of good chess strategy in the opening. 1...e5  Black answers by staking his own claim to the center squares, occupying one and attacking another. The move makes ready to deploy the Queen and King's Bishop to active central squares. Now White cannot hope for two pawns abreast in the center.Other moves are possible of course, but any good move here will be found to fight for the center and rapidly develop the pieces to squares of maximum efficiency. For example 1...e6  attacks an important central square and prepares to support the d-pawn's advance two squares into the center next move. Now after 2.d4 (White controls the center of the chess board, an ideal arrangement according to sound chess strategy in the opening) d5 Black quickly strikes back in the center, firmly establishing a pawn foothold on the d5 square, for if White captures Black retakes with his e-pawn. Notice that White's e-pawn is also threatened with capture. This position begins the French Defense, a well known chess opening. 2.f3  [An ideal chess opening move. White develops a Knight to its best square (toward the center!) and attacks the enemy pawn. Black is limited in his reply.]Again, White could make other good moves, like 2.c3  which also meets guidelines for proper chess opening strategy. A Knight is brought out toward the center, two center squares are influenced and the White e-pawn is solidly protected. 2...c6  [Excellent - a Knight is developed actively, attacking two central squares and defending the Black e-pawn. The influence of White's Knight is thus counteracted.] 3.b5  [Rapid deployment and no wasted motion. This move adheres to the principles of chess strategy, by preparing to castle and by undermining Black's defense of this e-pawn. Without getting bogged down in chess tactics, observe that White is not yet threatening to win the Black e-pawn, even if he could move again.]Instead 3.c4  illustrates good chess strategy as well, placing the King's Bishop on an active square where it commands two long diagonals, attacks the d5 central square and prepares to castle. 3...f6  [Black counterattacks! He brings out the King's Knight and controls two center squares, besides placing the enemy e-pawn under attack.] 4.0-0  [All according to the best chess strategy. White's King is now safely tucked away in the corner, and his King's Rook is brought toward the center. Next he will plan the development of his Queenside pieces while hampering Black's attempt to smoothly develop.] c.5  [The King's Bishop takes up its most active post, where it commands squares leading all the way to White's King. In addition, Black is now ready to castle. This position forms part of the Berlin Defense to the Ruy Lopez.]