strategy

Tempo

DEFINITION

A single move. Gaining tempo means making progress while forcing your opponent to react; losing tempo means spending a move — such as moving the same piece twice — without improving your position.

Why It Matters

Every extra move spent re-moving the same piece in the opening delays the development of everything else. In most positions it's better to bring a new piece into the game unless there's a concrete tactical reason to move the same one again.

GO DEEPER

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