Lessons in positional play with J. Kraienbrink. Part 4: “When occupying the center is justified”

12.01.2026

At present, there is very little material available on positional play on the large board. We have decided to fill this gap. We are starting a series of publications based on J. Kraienbrink’s books on the problems of positional play, with an analysis of the systemic errors made by most players and coaches. You can purchase all of J. Kraienbrink’s books in our store.

In the last lesson, we discussed the topic: “When occupying the center is useless.” We provided several positions on this topic for you to solve at home. Today, we will analyze them in more detail so that you can see whether the solution was correct or incorrect.

Today, we will also discuss a new important topic: “When occupying the center is justified.”

Many schools and coaches firmly believe that occupying the center or central squares is a prerequisite for victory. But how can you tell during a game that it is time to occupy the center? What criteria should you use and what should you pay attention to?

We have analyzed games and come up with the following conditions under which occupying the center is justified:

When the central position is occupied in a timely and correct manner, it cannot be exchanged immediately.
When occupying the central position, the central checkers are closely connected to other checkers on the board.
When occupying a central position, there is support in other parts of the board, for example in the form of a “clover leaf”.
When occupying a central position, the central checkers connect with other checkers to create a breakthrough on the flank.
Occupying the center is used in conjunction with another strategy, such as strengthening the opponent’s checker group.Let’s now look at some practical examples.

Part 1.

Part 2

Part 3

	. The task for this position last time was as follows: Try to evaluate White’s move 1. 33-29 in this position with a characteristic central structure. What did you consider when choosing White’s move and Black’s response? Correct answer: In the tournament game, the player playing White played 1. 33-29. If we consider the move as systematic and contributing to increased pressure in the center, then we can evaluate it as good. But… Black has resources to defend the position. Black’s response 1….. 13-19 with the threat of a two-for-two exchange helps to defend. In this position, the best continuation is the move 1. 39-34!. Occupying the central square 29 is hasty.

	The task for this position last time was as follows: In this position, with its characteristic struggle for the center, try to evaluate Black’s move 1. 19-23. What did you consider when choosing White’s response? Try to solve both positions at home, spending no more than 5 minutes on each. Correct answer: In the tournament game, the player playing Black played 1…… 19-23. Despite the fact that there is a base for occupying the central square 23, the decision to immediately occupy this square is hasty. White will always be able to neutralize the central checker by exchanging with the move 2. 33-29. A more correct decision would be to accumulate base checkers to occupy the center with moves 13-18, 8-13, etc. White will have to make the first move in this position, which will serve to strengthen Black’s advantage with the possibility of occupying square 23 at any moment.
	Today’s position on a new topic: “When is it justified to occupy the center?”
	So let’s move on to new examples in a new topic. Do you think White’s move 1. 33-28 is justified? Or could he make the move 1. 32-27? Which plan should we choose? Correct answer: A straightforward plan to prepare for occupying square 28 is a mistake. The waiting moves 44-39 or 42-37 will not help either. Considering the unfavorable position of Black’s central checkers (unstable center), the best move is 1. 32-27 21:32 2. 38:27, followed by an attempt to capture the opponent’s center. White can also prepare the ground for the “Ring” technique. It is also worth considering the move 31-27 with a transition to a classic position in the long term.

	How should Black play in this position? Wait with move 9-13? Or move to square 27? Neither of these plans works. White will have time to connect the checkers and equalize the position. How should Black play? Here, occupying the central square 23 is justified and timely. Occupying square 23 is justified for two reasons: After the attack 19-23, the white checkers 29 and 30 remain on the board and are taken out of play. After the attack 19-23, the group of checkers 21, 22, 26, 16 is strengthened and forms a “clover leaf” shape. Let’s move on to the homework assignment for independent work.

	How would you play for White in this position? Make a short plan for 5-8 moves.

	How would you play for White in this position? Which move would you choose, 31-27 or 34-29? How would you occupy the center? Would it be justified or not?

	What move would you choose for White in this position? 31-27 or 32-28? Are there other possibilities? Evaluate the occupation of the center. Is it justified? For each position, give reasons for occupying the center. Time limit for each position: 5 minutes. Answers in the next section. Good luck with your decisions!