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Questions tagged [center]

The center of the chess board consists of the four central squares (e4, d4, e5 and d5).

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What is the theory behind center control?

Center control is an important aspect of playing chess, most openings are built around controlling the center, but why? Is center control really that important for winning a game?
Soufiane Hassou
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Advance of d4 in the Ruy Lopez

I was White in this position, and Black had just played f6. [FEN "r1bqkb1r/ppppn1pp/2n2p2/1B2p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 0 1"] I played c3 to prepare a push of d4 and strike the center. When analyzing this position later, the engine…
Nicolas Appriou
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Why is 3...c5 a blunder in the Center Game Accepted?

[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR"] [Title "Center Game Accepted"] [StartFlipped "1"] 1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. Qxd4 c5?? Stockfish says that 3…c5 was a blunder and recommends 3…Nc6 instead. The advantage goes from 0 to around…
hb20007
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I don't understand the central-control difference between 1. e4 and 1. e3

The books/articles tell me that the center is d4, d5, e4, and e5. 1. e4 controls d5, but 1. e3 controls d4. Both control one square in the center, no? Yet 1. e4 is apparently a vast improvement over 1. e3. How would occupying e4 make a difference?…
ChessHatesMe
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Is it important to have pawns at the centre of the board?

Is there any strategic importance in having pawns at the centre of the board? Please provide a detailed explanation.
Abhijit S
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Why does black have an advantage here?

I am studying now old Polish book "ABC Szachisty" ("ABC for Chess Player", informal translation) and the following example is given there: [FEN ""] 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. Nf3 e5 5. d3 Bg4 6. Bd2 Nc6 7. Qe2 Nd4 8. Qxe5+ Qxe5+ 9. Nxe5…
Igor Sikora
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Dealing with flexible opening positions

For some reason I feel uncomfortable in positions where the opponent has not committed any of his pawns in the center and was wondering why is that? I guess it feels like I'm not sure how to carry on in positions such as those. Here is an example of…
user10307
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Strategy in "double-isolated" Queen-pawn positions?

What should the plan be for both sides in the Double Isolated Queen Pawn formation, such as the one arising from: [fen ""] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 e6 4.e4 Bb4 5.exd5 exd5 6.cxd5 cxd5 E.G. - should each side focus on attacking the other's…
Jacob
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Pawns in the center: strength or weakness?

In most openings, pawns typically end up at some of the centre squares. There is really no other way to open up the long diagonals(c1-h6,a6-f1) for the bishops. However, how desirable is this? Hypothetically speaking, assuming there were some…
guru
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It is important to play e4 or d4 to 'control the center'. Myth or reality?

Well, there are two premises in the question itself: 1) That e4 or d4 'controls the center'. 2) That 'Controlling the center'is something important. It appears to me that 'controlling the center' is the least of the benefits of a move like e4 or…
guru
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How to avoid an overly cluttered board in the opening?

As a beginner playing against other beginners, I find that around moves 8-10 the centre of the board gets quite cluttered. I have a hard time finding good places to put my pieces and improve my position, they get in one another's way, and I often…
s.willis
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Beginners question: Controlling the center

As a beginner I've been studying openings for center control. I am having a hard time finding the next lessons and steps when I actually have the upper hand in the center. Now I realise I don't actually know what to do when you have the center. How…
Dave
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Confused about the central and side pawns - which are which?

We all know that the "center" comprises of the four squares that are in the very middle of the board - d4, d5, e4, e5. Keeping this in mind, which are the central pawns, exactly, apart from the ones on the d and e files? Do they include the c, d, e…
cst1992
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Controlling the center versus occupying the center - What is the difference?

I would like to know if there are any general guidelines which help determine, at what moment to occupy a center square or to just control it? Are there any books or articles that anyone know of which deal with the differences with example? Also I…
Keshav
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Why is 2…f6 a blunder in the Center Game?

[FEN "rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR"] [Title "Center Game"] [StartFlipped "1"] 1. e4 e5 2. d4 f6?? Stockfish says that 2…f6 was a blunder and recommends 2…exd4 instead. I understand why 2…exd4 is the best move for Black, and I have…
hb20007
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