Chess Patterns ❯ Development and Initiative ❯ Lead in Development

Lead in Development

You can say you have a Lead in Development when you have activated your pieces more efficiently than your opponent, allowing them to better control important squares and exert more pressure. In the diagram above, White's pieces control more squares than Black ones, the King is castled and the Rooks are connected.

Ideas for when you have a Lead in Development: (1) Maintain the initiative and use your lead to gain other types of advantages, (2) Restrict your opponent's undeveloped pieces, (3) Open up the position, (4) Avoid premature exchanges that neutralize your advantage. Ideas against an opponent's Lead in Development: (1) Avoid opening up the position, (2) Exchange your opponent's better-placed pieces, (3) Temporarily sacrifice material to activate your pieces.

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Master the Lead in Development

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 the concept of Lead in Development. 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 dynamic imbalance.

Must-Know Opening Principles - Piece Development
Learn the basics of development with this great introductory series by Chessfactor. We miss your videos, Chessfactor!

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The Importance of Time explained by GM Yasser Seirawan
Yasser Seirawan on the Chessbrah channel is always entertaining! Learn from this video how to develop quickly and win tempi.

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Development Part 1: Counting*
Get serious about piece development and master it in all its nuances with this in-depth course by Chess.com.

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Play Winning Chess*
This book by Yasser Seirawan is the first in the highly popular 'Winning Chess' series. It is aimed at complete beginners and does a wonderful job of explaining the basics and what to focus on as a novice, including lead in development. Follow all the moves with ease thanks to the interactive e-book reader.

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Mastering Opening Strategy*
Improve your strategic thinking with this excellent book by Johan Hellsten. For non-beginners. Follow all the moves with ease thanks to the interactive e-book reader.

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