Development
Development: Moving pieces from their starting squares to active positions where they influence the game.
In-Depth Explanation
Opening development usually prioritizes knights, bishops, center control, and castling. Moving the same piece repeatedly or making unnecessary pawn moves can lose time. Development is not complete merely because pieces moved; they should coordinate and support the position's central plan.
Related Strategy Terms
Zugzwang
A situation where a player is forced to make a move that will significantly weaken their position.
Tempo
A unit of time in chess: one move. Gaining a tempo means forcing the opponent to waste a move.
Opposition
A king-and-pawn endgame concept where kings face each other with one square between them; the player not to move holds the opposition.
Recommended Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving pieces from their starting squares to active positions where they influence the game.
Study model positions, explain the idea in your own words, and test the key decisions on the interactive board.
Want to master your chess openings?
Join thousands of players who use our cloud repertoire lab to store and train their secret weapons.
Get Started with Repertoire Master (PRO)