Editing Chess strategy (section)

=== Opening ===
{{Main|Chess opening}}

A chess opening is the group of initial moves of a game (the "opening moves"). Recognized sequences of opening moves are referred to as ''openings'' and have been given names such as the [[Ruy Lopez]] or [[Sicilian Defence]]. They are catalogued in reference works such as the ''[[Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings]]''.

There are dozens of different openings, varying widely in character from quiet positional play (e.g. the [[Réti Opening]]) to very aggressive play (e.g. the [[Latvian Gambit]]). In some opening lines, the exact sequence considered best for both sides has been worked out to 30–35 moves or more.<ref>{{cite book | author= Collins, Sam| title=Understanding the Chess Openings |publisher=Gambit Publications| year=2005 | isbn=1-904600-28-X}}</ref> Professional players spend years studying openings, and continue doing so throughout their careers, as [[Chess theory#Opening theory|opening theory]] continues to evolve.

The fundamental strategic aims of most openings are similar:<ref>{{cite book | author=Tarrasch, Siegbert | title=The Game of Chess |publisher=Courier Dover Publications| year=1987 | isbn=0-486-25447-X | author-link=Siegbert Tarrasch}}</ref>
*''Development:'' To place (develop) the pieces (particularly bishops and knights) on useful squares where they influence the game.
*''Control of the {{chessgloss|center}}:'' Control of the central squares allows pieces to be moved to any part of the board relatively easily, and can also have a cramping effect on the opponent.
*''King safety:'' Correct timing of castling can enhance this.
*''[[Pawn structure]]:'' Players strive to avoid the creation of pawn weaknesses such as isolated, [[Doubled pawns|doubled]] or [[backward pawn]]s, and {{cgloss|pawn islands}}.

During the opening, some pieces have a recognized optimum square they try to reach. Hence, an optimum deployment could be to push the king and queen pawn two squares, followed by moving the knights so they protect the center pawns and give additional control of the center. One can then deploy the bishops, protected by the knights, to [[pin (chess)|pin]] the opponent's knights and pawns. An opening may end with  castling, which moves the king to safety, creates a stronger {{cgloss|back rank}}, and puts a rook on a {{chessgloss|center file}}.

Apart from these fundamentals, other strategic plans or tactical sequences may be employed in the opening.

Most players and [[Chess theory|theoreticians]] consider that White, by virtue of the first move, [[First-move advantage in chess|begins the game with a small advantage]]. Black usually strives to neutralize White's advantage and achieve {{chessgloss|equality}}, or to develop {{cgloss|dynamism|dynamic}} {{cgloss|counterplay}} in an unbalanced position.