Opening a game wellStep 4 of 6
Do not bring the queen out early
The strongest piece is also the easiest to chase. Keep her home.
The queen is your strongest piece, and that is exactly why you should not bring her out first.
A queen in the middle of the board on move three is a giant target. Every time your opponent attacks her with a minor piece, you have to move her — and while you move the same piece four times, they develop four different ones. You do not lose material: you lose the game more slowly, behind on everything.
Demonstration — use the arrows
Use the ← and → arrow keys, or click a move in the list.
Move list
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
When can she come out? When she has a safe square where the opponent cannot harass her, usually once the minor pieces are developed. The queen is a middlegame piece, not an opening one.
To see what neglected development and a king left in the centre really cost, go and look at Légal’s mate.
Your turn
Your turn
Black to move
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Play your move on the board: drag a piece, or tap it and then tap its destination square.
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