What Is Centering in Chess? | Chess Video Lecture | Chess Tutorial Course: Beginner to Advanced - Class 6

hi coach tall here with chess NYC and
today I'm going to be talking to you
about the center the center is these
four squares on the chess board and they
are the most important squares on the
chess board the squares surrounding the
center we refer to as the extended
center and these are also very important
squares let's talk about why the center
is so important the center is important
because if we look at our pieces in the
center versus anywhere else on the board
we'll see that our pieces function best
there they attack the most possible
squares from the center and they can
travel to either part of the board from
another part of the board such as the
corner a piece has much less potential
we see that this knight in the corner
only attacks two squares and is not able
to get to either side of the board
while this knight in the center attacks
eight squares and can maneuver easily to
all parts of the board another reason
the center is so important interest is
because not only do our pieces function
best there when we put them there but so
do our opponents so when we control the
center traditionally with pawns we are
able to keep our opponent's pieces from
entering the center this will stop our
opponent's pieces from reaching their
maximum potential another important
reason to have the center is so that you
can start an attack attacks can only be
started after you have a firm grip on
the center one should not attack on the
flank of the chess board until the
center is under control
a good principal interest is when your
opponent attacks on the flank counter in
the center and that's why the center of
the chess board is so very important
you