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Don't Move the Same Piece Twice

Moving the same piece twice in the opening wastes time. Time in the opening is best spent developing new pieces.

A wasted knight move

White plays Nf3, then Ng1. The knight returns to its starting square and White has lost a move.

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

Development instead

White plays Nf3, then Bc4. Two pieces have developed in two moves, and both aim at 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

The same piece in a real game

White plays e4, Nf3, and Bc4. Three moves develop pawns and pieces, with no piece moved twice.

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

  • Each move in the opening should develop a new piece or improve the position.
  • Moving a piece twice lets the other side develop two pieces. The side that develops more pieces has more pieces in play.
  • A piece that is attacked may have to move again. Avoid placing a piece where it can be attacked at once.
  • Castling and central pawn moves are not wasted moves. They improve the whole position.
  • If a piece must move twice, make the second move count. The second move should also develop or attack.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

Which pair of moves wastes time in the opening?