How to start a game

The three things every good opening does.

The first few moves aren't about attacking — they're about getting ready. Three simple goals guide nearly every sound opening: fight for the center, develop your pieces, and get your king safe by castling. Pawns in the center give your pieces room to work, knights and bishops belong off the back rank, and a castled king is far safer than one stuck in the middle.

The diagram shows the principles in action after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4: a pawn in the center, a knight and bishop developed, and the king a single move from castling. A common beginner mistake is to rush the queen out for early threats — it backfires, because the opponent develops while chasing your queen around for free.

Control the center, develop pieces, then castle.
Develop knights and bishops before the queen.
A move that develops AND makes a threat is ideal.

Center pawn on e4, knight and bishop developed, king ready to castle — the opening principles at work.

What are the three goals of a good opening?

Answer the question to keep going!