King Pawn Openings - The Center Game

The Center Game starts with 1 P - K4, P - K4; 2 P - Q4. This is one of the many chess openings that have direct application to establishing a good center. Given this opening Black has either of two choices - first, is to maintain a Pawn on the K4 position, second, is to give up that position but at the same time force White to do the same for his own Pawn on the opposite square.

Now, if Black decides on maintaining his station on the K4 center position, doing a 2 ... P - Q3 is not much of a good choice. Doing so will limit the movement of Black's Bishop on the King's side, which goes against our stated principles for the opening. Another disadvantage of such a move is that it allows White to make 3 Kt - KB3, which becomes terribly favorable for White since it can be transposed into other openings.

Black's best options should involve being able to defend the Pawn on the K4 position while being able to maintain harmony with the basic principles for the opening. Another scenario that players will often see with the Center Game is the very observable possibility of playing a gambit. Such transpositions can become common given the options available to both parties in this type of King Pawn opening.

One possible disadvantage, which any player may easily observe, the Center Game brings to White is that of bringing the Queen out into the open a tad too early. Seeing this rather apparent weakness in White's opening gives Black great opportunities to regain and maintain a balance or equilibrium in the matter. Players will immediately observe that one clear break which Black can capitalize on is to parry the Queen with threats while developing other chess pieces.

An example of such play will be the following: 2 ... P x P 3 Q x P, Kt - QB3 4 Q - K3, Kt - B3 5 Kt - QB3

After such array of threats to the White's Queen, Black now has a couple of options. The first one is to charge like a bull and go for an early exchange and see who outlives whom after the loss of material has been counted, or give the same dose of pressure on the Pawn at White's K4. Both these options play within the bounds of normalcy since they are in harmony with principles for the opening.

If Black opts for a charge his moves may continue as ... B - K2, ... P - Q4, then finally castling on the Queen's Side. But if Black opts to give White a fair share of pressure then a continuation of ... B - Kt5, then a castle on the King's side, then ... R - K1 and more.

The Center Game is one of the chess openings that offer players a chance to exercise the principles behind the opening. It also offers a fast action-packed start to any chess game.