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Space & prophylaxis
More room — used carefully.
A space advantage means freedom of movement: your pieces regroup easily while the cramped side's pieces trip over each other. The flip side is that the cramped player wants to trade, since each exchange frees up squares for the pieces that remain.
Gaining space means pushing pawns, but pawns can't move backward — push too far and they overextend, leaving holes behind them. That's where prophylaxis comes in: before charging ahead, ask what the opponent wants and quietly take it away.
- Space gives your pieces room; cramp the enemy.
- More space? Keep pieces on. Short on space? Trade pieces for breathing room.
- Beware the dark side of space — push too far and you leave holes behind.
- Block before you punch: stop the enemy's break before launching your own.