Chess begins with a race. This is a race to move your pieces into productive spots. Think of the back row as the bench. Having any of your men (besides the king) on the bench is a bad idea as we need all of our pieces to win against a worthy opponent.
Generally they say to start with a center pawn and I always start with this idea. Since the bishops cannot move, we will need to move at least two pawns to let them out. Generally it is best to use center pawns for this job as moving the side pawns can weaken your castling position.
After that the knights and bishops should become a priority, and the rule is knights before bishops. This applies mostly to your second chess move, and the reason is pretty easy to understand. The knight knows where he wants to go, on his first move (assuming the pawns are out of his way) he only has three choices. He can move to the side of the board, he can move in front of his king, or he can move in between the two. Of the three moves the move towards the center is almost always best. This is because from that square he has the greatest number of moves. He should be ready to move to 8 squares. The more choices a chess piece has the more valuable he is. Now it is rarely 8 moves that he will have because pieces are often in the way, but even though he cannot move there now he is protecting that piece and if anyone were to capture then he could capture back.
Bishops should come out after because it is not so clear where they want to go, often we need to wait to see what our opponent will do before we develop them.
Queens shouldn't be brought out early. This means she should wait until you are castled and all the knights and bishops have moved. This is because she is a target, and if you bring her out early, you may have trouble bringing the other pieces out as other pieces can chase her around the board. If you wait then the knights and bishops can help protect her.
Rooks should come out last as they are not very valueable when the board is filled with pawns, their true value is shown as pawns start to disapear. Often players will bring them out in the first two moves, but this is a huge mistake as it prevents castling (at least on one side), wreaks the pawn structure, and exposes the rook to attack.
Another idea in the opening, which is the first 10 or so moves, is to castle. Castle early, castle often they say, and it pretty much means castle every game that you can. Also it is a good idea to prevent your opponent from castling as it can result in a quick win for you with proper movement. Castling serves two purposes, one it protects your king, and two it prepares your rook to attack. If you do not castle and instead opt for an early attack, then you may leave yourself open to a counter attack which can be very embarrasing.
Lastly attack the center. The center four squares should be focused on. If you can control the center then you will be faster then your opponent. If you can move through the center, and your opponent must move around it, then you will be able to traverse the board quicker. Also good center control can lead to cramping your opponent. If you can cramp your opponent then he will have trouble moving his pieces at all. Cramping is when your push your pawns in such a way that his pieces are left with few, if any, moves availible to them. It is like putting your opponent in a straight jacket.
Generally they say to start with a center pawn and I always start with this idea. Since the bishops cannot move, we will need to move at least two pawns to let them out. Generally it is best to use center pawns for this job as moving the side pawns can weaken your castling position.
After that the knights and bishops should become a priority, and the rule is knights before bishops. This applies mostly to your second chess move, and the reason is pretty easy to understand. The knight knows where he wants to go, on his first move (assuming the pawns are out of his way) he only has three choices. He can move to the side of the board, he can move in front of his king, or he can move in between the two. Of the three moves the move towards the center is almost always best. This is because from that square he has the greatest number of moves. He should be ready to move to 8 squares. The more choices a chess piece has the more valuable he is. Now it is rarely 8 moves that he will have because pieces are often in the way, but even though he cannot move there now he is protecting that piece and if anyone were to capture then he could capture back.
Bishops should come out after because it is not so clear where they want to go, often we need to wait to see what our opponent will do before we develop them.
Queens shouldn't be brought out early. This means she should wait until you are castled and all the knights and bishops have moved. This is because she is a target, and if you bring her out early, you may have trouble bringing the other pieces out as other pieces can chase her around the board. If you wait then the knights and bishops can help protect her.
Rooks should come out last as they are not very valueable when the board is filled with pawns, their true value is shown as pawns start to disapear. Often players will bring them out in the first two moves, but this is a huge mistake as it prevents castling (at least on one side), wreaks the pawn structure, and exposes the rook to attack.
Another idea in the opening, which is the first 10 or so moves, is to castle. Castle early, castle often they say, and it pretty much means castle every game that you can. Also it is a good idea to prevent your opponent from castling as it can result in a quick win for you with proper movement. Castling serves two purposes, one it protects your king, and two it prepares your rook to attack. If you do not castle and instead opt for an early attack, then you may leave yourself open to a counter attack which can be very embarrasing.
Lastly attack the center. The center four squares should be focused on. If you can control the center then you will be faster then your opponent. If you can move through the center, and your opponent must move around it, then you will be able to traverse the board quicker. Also good center control can lead to cramping your opponent. If you can cramp your opponent then he will have trouble moving his pieces at all. Cramping is when your push your pawns in such a way that his pieces are left with few, if any, moves availible to them. It is like putting your opponent in a straight jacket.
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