The centreA centre pawn does not just take the centre: it opens the way out for your pieces.

Look at the bishop on c1 and count the marked squares: none. It does not have a single move. It is stuck behind its own pawns on b2 and d2 — and that is how every game of chess starts, with none of your big pieces having anywhere to go. The opening's first job is to fix that.

One move later, with the pawn on e4, look at the other bishop: five squares. And the queen, who was also stuck, has gained the whole diagonal. This is what a centre pawn really does — it does not just take the centre, it OPENS the way out for the pieces behind. That is why almost every game starts with a middle pawn.

Your turn, from the start. Take the centre with a pawn.

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