🚀 Opening principles

In the opening you don't need to memorize variations: just follow four principles and you'll come out fine of almost anything. We apply them by playing a model game, the Italian, one of the soundest and most natural openings there is.

The principles: (1) occupy the center with a pawn; (2) develop the minor pieces — knights before bishops — toward active squares; (3) castle early to get the king safe; (4) don't move the same piece twice or bring the queen out too soon. Let's see them in action.