Control the Centre

Part of the Fundamentals section of Coddy's Chess journey. Lesson 42 of 46.

The four squares in the middle (d4, d5, e4, e5) are the centre. A piece standing there reaches the most squares, so the whole opening is a fight for them. Claim one with a pawn on move one, then bring pieces to bear on the rest.

Try it yourselfBeginner

Position 1 of 8

WatchThe crossroads of the board.

All 8 positions

All lessons in Fundamentals

1The Board

Meet the Board Files and Ranks Naming Squares Setting Up Recap: The Board

4The King and the Pawn

The King The Pawn Pawn Captures The First Double Step Recap: King and Pawn

7Special Moves

Castling When You Cannot Castle Promotion En Passant Recap: Special Moves

2The Sliding Pieces

The Rook The Bishop The Queen Blocked Paths Recap: Sliding Pieces

5Captures and Check

How Captures Work What Pieces Are Worth Check Three Ways Out Moves You Cannot Play Recap: Check

8Writing Moves Down

Reading Moves Takes, Check and Mate Which Knight?Reading a Game Recap: Written Moves

3The Knight

The Knight's Jump Jumping Over Pieces Knights on the Rim Recap: The Knight

6Checkmate and Draws

Checkmate The Back Rank Mate With Two Rooks Stalemate Other Draws Recap: Checkmate

9Your First Game

Control the CentreGet Your Pieces Out Castle Early The Scholar's Mate Project: The Opening