Chess Patterns ❯ Control of Center ❯ Center Controlled Indirectly

Center Controlled Indirectly

A center is Controlled Indirectly, when the pieces exert influence over the central squares without physically occupying them (see diagram above). This strategy allows for a flexible approach to central control, often inviting opponents to occupy the center with their pawns, which can then become targets for attack. Many factors may determine who is favored by a center that is controlled indirectly.

Ideas for when the Center is Controlled Indirectly: (1) Be prepared to challenge your opponent's central pawns or pieces when the timing is right, (2) Look for opportunities to create pressure on the center through pawn breaks or piece maneuvers, (3) Be ready to reposition your pieces quickly to adapt to changes in the center.

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Master the Center Controlled Indirectly

When we started adding a playful touch to chess learning, we looked through thousands of videos and hundreds of books to find the best resources out there. Here's our curated selection of the best content we encountered on positions where the Center is Controlled Indirectly. We also included some smaller creators who are growing fast and we believe deserve your attention. Check out these resources if you want to master this type of center.

Chess Openings: Classical vs Hypermodern Development
This video by Chess Thinking! with NM Dan Heisman is one of the best explanations of how you can think about the center in two very different ways. Highly recommended.

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The Mobility and Flexibility of Centralized Pieces | Basic Chess Strategy
Have a look at this game, excellently analyzed by the Chessfactor YouTube channel (sadly not that active anymore), and see how powerful pieces can become when you first control the center indirectly and then you occupy it.

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The Power of the Center!*
In this chess.com lesson, GM Kaidanov shows a very interesting Gelfand-Karpov game where the former takes indirect control of the center as White, while the latter ends up occupying it. A very nice game to study.

WATCH ON CHESS.COM
Understanding Chess Move by Move*
This book by John Nunn walks you through the moves of 30 games, step by step. And it includes several examples featuring a center that is indirectly controlled. Ideal for club players looking for a clear and thorough explanation of game strategies.

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Mastering Opening Strategy*
This is the second book in the interesting "Mastering..." series by Johan Hellsten. Very well-organized and packed with examples. Many sections deal with the topic center control. Highly recommended.

GET IT ON AMAZON