The placing of the centre pawns determines the "topography" of a game of chess.

You must not let your opponent know how you feel.

It has always been recognized that chess is an art, and its best practitioners have been described as artists.

All candidate moves should be identified at once and listed in one's head. This job cannot be done piecemeal, by first examining one move and then look at another.

Here is a definition which correctly reflects the course of thought and action of a grandmaster: - The plan in a game of chess is the sum total of successive strategical operations which are each carried out according to separate ideas arising from the demands of the position.

In choosing an opening plan players think most of all of harmonious development for the pieces, but sometimes leave the development of the queen out of their considerations. Yet the Queen is the most valuable and important piece and the whole outcome can depend upon how successfully she plays her role.

Once we have chosen the right formation in the centre we have created opportunities for our pieces and laid the foundation of subsequent victory.