Chess Openings - The Centre Game
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1. e4 e5
2. d4 exd4
3. Qxd4
In the Open Game (1. e4 e5), white can attack the centre directly with an advance of the Queen's Pawn: 2. d4. This is The Centre Game. The match typically continues with a trade of centre Pawns: 2... exd4 3. Qxd4.
In the Centre Game, white is exploiting a weakness in black's position: the undefended pawn on e5. White attacks this weakness with the Queen's pawn move. White also opens up lines for his Queen and Queen's Bishop.
The main disadvantage of the Centre Game is that black can gain time by attacking white's Queen with a developing Knight move: 3... Nc6. White must retreat, and black now has the initiative. Because of this, the opening is considered to favour black. Although it was popular over a century ago, the Centre Game is not currently played at the master level.
How Common is the Centre Game?
Common at Novice Level
Rare at Master Level
After reaching the Open Game, white plays the centre game very rarely (perhaps only about 1% of the time at all levels). However, because this opening is very straightforward, beginners and novices can expect to see it much more often.