..:: in chess as in life ::..

Improve Your Chess with the Right Chess Moves: Control the Center of the Chess Board The center of the chess board refers to the four middle squares of the chessboard. In algebraic notation, they are the d4, e4, d5, and e5 squares. Controlling those squares, directly or indirectly, usually means controlling the most active part of the chessboard. From the center, one has the most space to control the rest of the chessboard.