Control the Center

Control of the center means influence over the squares d4, d5, e4, and e5. Central control gives pieces room to move.

Pawns take the center

White plays e4 and Black plays e5. Both pawns stand in the center and control squares around them.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Pieces aim at the center

White plays Nf3 and Black plays Nc6. Both knights develop toward the center.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

A central pawn is challenged

White plays d4 and Black pawn on e5 captures it. Central pawns can be traded, and the center can change hands.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

Pawns in the center control central squares. A pawn on e4 controls d5 and f5.
Pieces in the center reach both sides of the board. A knight on f3 attacks central squares and kingside squares.
Control does not need occupation. A piece can control a central square from a distance.
Openings that ignore the center leave the enemy free to take it. A side that owns the center has more space.
Fight for the center in the first moves. Central pawns and pieces come first in the opening.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

After 1. e4 e5, which move develops a piece toward the center?

Nf3 h3 a3 Ke2