Phases of the Game: the Opening

Those who play chess to win must work along the setting of the game. A player should know each phase of a chess game and work within the parameters of each phase. If a player knows and secures the goals of each phase, that player will have a solid game throughout. On the other hand, a player who does not do so will make a lot of mistakes and develop poor form throughout the game.

The opening is the starting phase of a chess game. The opening starts with the very first few moves made by both players. There is no defining line when the opening ends and where the next phase begins. That being the case we need not concern ourselves about which phase we're at during a game. The big question when dealing with the opening is attaining the short-term objectives of this phase of the game.

There are a few goals during the opening that is relative to success in the other phases of the game. Obviously the very first goal in the opening is development. Development simply means bringing out your pieces and placing them in squares of positions where they can be most effective. Both players strive to mobilize their pieces as quickly as they can. It is interesting that the Rooks and the Queen will not be a priority when it comes to development in this stage.

The next goal in the opening is to control the center. The player who wrests control of these important squares secures a strong strategic advantage early in the game. You either place a piece or Pawns there or control those squares at a distance without occupying them by placing threats on opposing chessmen occupying the center.

To a certain extent, another goal would have to be to secure the King. It will be detrimental if you have your King running around the chessboard in the opening. One would tuck the King in a secure corner by castling or by other means.

A rather important goal in the opening is to set up the coordination of your chess pieces. The idea isn't just to bring out and mobilize your pieces in the opening. When you bring out your chessmen you should be able to place them in formation where one piece supports the other. This would of course include a solid Pawn Structure.

A good course of action for any player would be to study the different chess openings. Professional chess players and grandmasters study chess openings and continue to do so during their career. The opening theory in chess isn't a closed book after all. If you play chess to win you should pay attention to this very important and well-studied phase of the game.