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Important Thumb rules for the opening stage in chess
(also called – 90% rule for a reason)
Important Thumb rules for the opening stage
After almost two decades of teaching Chess, I observed some principles in chess need to be simplified. So…
Here are my Important Thumb rules for the opening stage in chess
Intro:
When a new student wants to join our academy for chess classes I ask him if he knows to play chess.
They confirm that they can beat their family members and due to that, they want to try chess as a professional sport.
Then I make them play with some younger students in the academy and they think that these tiny kids will be no match to them.
Then the fun starts.
Knowing the Important Thumb rules for the opening stage helps kids get a decent position in chess
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These new students though much older than my junior students, get ripped apart slowly and they have a puzzled look on their face.
Having seen the puzzled look on most of the older kids when they lose to someone much younger than them,
I felt it was a gross injustice to the elder newbies who were lost due to a lack of knowledge of the opening principles.
I believe Chess must be first taught in chunks and only then can the full picture be slowly understood.
Memorize them and see your game improve or at least achieve some decent amount of coherence.
But before memorizing them, remember that they are also called 90% rules. That is because they are applicable only 90% of the time and depend on the position.
Caveat: Please take these rules with a pinch of salt and follow them with discretion.
Important Thumb rules for the opening stage
- The simplest way to start the game is to occupy the center of the board with a pawn.
Start by advancing your central pawns (d-pawn and e-pawn) to control the center of the board. This helps in establishing a strong position and gives your pieces more mobility. - Develop your Knights and Bishops as quickly as possible (usually Knights before Bishops).
Bring out your Knights and Bishops to active squares as quickly as possible. Knights are often developed before Bishops, as they can jump over other pieces. - Castle early, usually on the Kingside, to make your King safe. This move protects the King behind a wall of pawns and activates the Rook.
- Don’t move the same piece twice in the opening – except to make or evade capture. Each move should help in the development of your other pieces or control of the board.
- Don’t bring the Queen out early, unless you can win something (or give a checkmate) by doing so. Instead, focus on developing minor pieces and securing a solid position before involving the Queen in attacking play.
- The Rooks are the last pieces to be developed, They should be placed on open files or central squares not blocked by pawns, increasing their scope and control.
- Don’t develop pieces by blocking your other pieces, instead, strive for a harmonious placement where each piece supports others and has room for maneuvering.
- Don’t make too many pawn moves at the start of the game. Move your two central pawns, and sometimes also your c-pawn to fight for the center. Excessive pawn moves can lead to weaknesses and hinder piece development Also remember that pawns cannot move backwards!
- Don’t move your f-, g- and h-pawns in the opening – you will need those to remain unmoved to defend your King when you castle on the Kingside. These pawns serve as a protective shield for the King after castling.
- Be careful about grabbing pawns in the opening, when you are yet to develop pieces, fully. Such moves can lead to a loss of time or expose your pieces to attacks.
I cannot stress how important it is to adhere to these Important Thumb rules for the opening stage in chess – at least till you have a decent rating of say 1500. Till then these thumb-rules will serve as guideposts and will help you navigate through the black and white jungle.
If you are above 1500 elo rating then I suggest you look at this video
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These principles not only guide you on how to play the opening stage in chess but also help to make sense of more advanced opening ideas.
After that, you are free to do what you deem fit 🙂
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Suggested reading:
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His Chess workshops and online chess classes can be booked in advance based on appointment.
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