Chess Principles

The chief object of all opening strategy is to get the pieces out quickly off the
back rank and into active play.
Place each piece as quickly as possible on the square where it is most effective.
Bring out knights before developing the bishops!
Move each piece only once in the opening.
Develop with a threat whenever possible. Because to meet the threat the
opponent must drop whatever else he is doing. Threats must be parried before
continuing development.
Castle early in the game, preferably on the kingside.
You should never, unless of necessity or to gain an advantage, move the pawns
in front of the castled king because each pawn move loosens the position.
In the kingside castled position, the king is protected by a knight at f3 and the
three pawns in front of him. While the protectors stay where they are, the
king is highly resistant to attack. The moment the formation is changed, the
structure is loosened and weakened. It is then vulnerable to attack.
Pieces placed in the centre enjoy the greatest freedom of action and have the
widest scope for their attacking powers.
Occupation of the centre, or control of it from distance, sets up a barrier that
divides the opponent’s forces and prevents them from cooperating
harmoniously.

Develop all your pieces before starting any combinations!

Open lines are to the advantage of the player whose development is superior.
A master does not waste valuable time on futile speculation. Instead, he
makes use of a potent secret weapon – positional judgment.
Do not grab pawns at the expense of development or position.
Maxims of the Masters:
 Get your pieces out fast
 Move each piece only once in the opening
 Develop with a view to control of the centre
 Move only those pawns that facilitate the development of pieces. Move
pieces, not pawns