What is Space in chess?
The number of squares controlled or available to your pieces compared with the opponent's.
The side with more space can maneuver more freely and has more options. Grabbing space in the opening with pawn advances is a common strategy, though it can also create weaknesses.
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- ProphylaxisA preventive move that stops the opponent's plan before it begins.
- FianchettoDeveloping a bishop to the long diagonal from b2, g2, b7, or g7.
- Bishop pairHaving both bishops while the opponent has lost one or both of theirs.
- Good bishopA bishop whose diagonals are not blocked by its own pawns.
- Bad bishopA bishop blocked by its own pawns on the same colour, severely limiting its usefulness.
- Opposite-coloured bishopsWhen both sides have one bishop each, but they travel on different coloured squares.