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Gaining a Tempo

Gaining a tempo means saving a move. A developing move that attacks an enemy piece forces a reply, so you develop for free.

Developing a bishop with an attack

The bishop moves from c1 to g5. It attacks the knight on f6. Black must deal with the attack, so White has developed a piece without losing time.

FEN: 4k3/8/5n2/8/8/8/8/2B3K1 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . n . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . B . . . K . 1
  a b c d e f g h

A pawn move that gains a tempo

The pawn moves from e2 to e4. It attacks the knight on f5. Black must move the knight, so White has gained time for the pawn's advance.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/5n2/8/8/4P3/6K1 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . n . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . P . . . 2
1 . . . . . . K . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • A tempo is one move of time.
  • A move that attacks forces the opponent to reply.
  • Developing with an attack gains a tempo.
  • A tempo can mean developing two pieces while the opponent develops one.
  • Losing a tempo means wasting a move on a threat that is ignored.
  • Tempos matter most in the opening.
  • Count tempos by asking who must reply to whom.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White to move. Which developing move gains a tempo by attacking the knight on f6?