Invasion of the centre: the leap into the centre

In short

Look at a white knight on c3. No black pawn controls the square d5. If the knight leaps there, it works in both directions, and only a piece can drive it away or exchange it. Nimzowitsch calls this leap into the centre an invasion of the centre.

Nimzowitsch explains the idea in the chapter on the centre. The knights on c3 and c6 should not only stop enemy pawn advances in the centre. If the opponent neglects something in the centre, they should leap into it. According to him, a position that looks closed is often only seemingly closed.

Often it starts with a move that does nothing for the centre. Many players swing their pieces over to a wing too early. Nimzowitsch warns against this, because then the opponent threatens an invasion of the centre. It is better to play from the centre outwards and bring your pieces towards the centre.

A leap into the centre often leads to an exchange. Afterwards a pawn may recapture, and the picture in the centre changes. So check beforehand what remains after the exchange. If the pawns have disappeared from the centre, Nimzowitsch advises at least occupying the squares with pieces.

Start with lesson 39. There you leap to d5 or d4 in games by Capablanca and Nimzowitsch. Lesson 25 shows how an answer in the centre slows down a wing attack. In Réti – Nimzowitsch, a black knight occupies a square in the centre that has become free.

Summarised by the editors in their own words. This is not a quotation.

Getting into the centre in Nimzowitsch’s games

In Réti – Nimzowitsch, Black first deflects the white queen. After the exchange of queens, a black knight leaps to e4, right into the centre that has become free. Soon a second knight stands on d4. Together they dominate the board, Nimzowitsch writes.

In the supplement to “My System”, Nimzowitsch praises an opening move by Sämisch. There a black knight breaks in to e4 very early. According to him, this early incursion found many imitators and proved very fruitful.

When the leap is not enough

A free square in the centre is not automatically a gain. In Steiner – Nimzowitsch, Black deliberately leaves a hole on d5. In this way he stops the advance of the white d-pawn. The white knight does leap to d5, but White can only hold the square with sacrifices, Nimzowitsch writes.

Today’s view

Today people usually speak of a hole or a weak square in the centre in such cases. A knight on such a square is still regarded as a big advantage if it can hold its ground there. But only checking the concrete position shows whether the leap really helps.

Where to find it in Nimzowitsch

• My System: II. Teil, 1.5 Das Zentrum original text not yet published

  The centre as a constant battleground, the knights’ duty to invade the centre and the warning against swinging over to the wing too early.

• My System: II. Teil, Wege zur Aneignung des Positionsspiel original text not yet published

  Nimzowitsch’s short pieces of advice on positional play, among them respect for an invasion of the centre by the opponent.

• My System: II. Teil, Partien zum 1. Kapitel original text not yet published

  Games for the chapter on positional play, among them Nimzowitsch – Michel with a knight breaking in to d5.

• My System: Nachtrag, 5. Ausbau und Entwicklung der Schachrevolution in den Jahren 1914 bis 1926 original text not yet published

  A look back at the years 1914 to 1926, including a knight breaking in early to e4 in a move by Sämisch.

• Chess Praxis: Partie 10 (original text)

  Réti – Nimzowitsch: after a deflection, a black knight occupies the centre that has become free.

• Chess Praxis: Partie 52 (original text)

  Steiner – Nimzowitsch: White occupies the hole on d5 but can only hold it with sacrifices.

In the course

• Answer in the centre
• The leap into the centre
• Réti – Nimzowitsch, Marienbad 1925
• Steiner – Nimzowitsch, Dresden 1926