Understanding Piece Development in Chess

Also, save big this Fourth of July, the Best 10 books for kids, and the 10 best modern openings.

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June 30, 2025 1:01pm EDT

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Dear Chess Player,

This week at the House of Staunton, we have been busy. First, our featured story explores the topic of development in chess. What is development, and how much priority should you give to developing your pieces? Understanding the nuances of development can help improve your game and boost your win percentage.

Celebrate Independence Day with the House of Staunton with our spectacular Fourth of July Sale! Enjoy 20% off your next chess product purchase. Use coupon code FIREWORKS20 at checkout, and the discount will be automatically applied to your cart. So, shop now and make your Fourth of July celebration unforgettable.

Also, this week at The House of Staunton, our first blog post looks at the ten best chess books for kids. With so many books available, find ten that will revolutionize your kids' chess experience this summer.

Finally, this week, our second blog post at The House of Staunton looks at the Modern chess opening and the 10 most important Modern Chess openings. So, if you are looking to boost your opening knowledge, our post is the perfect place to start.

Yours in Chess,
The House of Staunton Team

Feature Story

Understanding Development In Chess

One of the most important principles of chess opening play is development.

Newcomers to chess are quickly taught to get their pieces off their starting squares and into the action. One common refrain is to “avoid moving the same piece twice in the opening.” Generally, this is excellent advice. By following it, you will get your entire army engaged in the battle.

The following position, taken from an actual game, nicely illustrates the concept.

Both sides have played nine moves. Material is equal, but White has better development. How can we tell this?

White’s king has already reached safety by castling, whereas Black’s has not.
Most of White’s minor pieces have left their starting squares and are posted in active positions, while Black’s remain passive on the back rank.
White will find it easy to further develop their pieces, whereas it will be more difficult for Black’s queenside pieces to reach good squares.

According to the computer’s evaluation of this position, White has a +2 advantage (equivalent to an extra two pawns of material), thanks mainly to White’s superior development.

What To Do When You Have Better Development

If you manage to gain a development advantage, you should look for ways to increase this advantage. Develop your pieces to even more aggressive squares. Just as importantly, attempt to limit your opponent’s development options. For example, if your opponent has yet to castle their king, try to prevent it.

A development advantage is also a signal to start searching for tactics. As Bobby Fischer once said, “Tactics flow from a superior position.”If you have better development than your opponent, then the tactics will tend to work in your favor.

The position below, from Chigorin vs. Burn, 1906, is a good example. It is Black to move. White is far behind in development, and Black has found a way to exploit it.

With 9. …Bxf5! Black sacrificed a bishop in order to open the e-file. Notice the awkward positioning of White’s queen and king lined up against the Black rook on e8.

After 10. exf5 e4, Black regains the sacrificed material with interest.

When Development Isn’t Everything

Like all general principles in chess, the real skill is understanding when they do not apply. Every position is different, and strong players will neglect their development if there is something more important to do.

The following position arose in the game Neverov vs. Kramnik, 1990, with Black to move.

It would be very natural in such a position for Black to simply continue their development with, for example, …Be7 and …0-0.

However, in this particular position, there is a tactic in the air. Black spotted it and played 13. …Nfxe4, 14. Bxe4 Nxe4, 15. Qxe4 c5, where Black wins material due to the skewer against the White queen on e4 in front of the White rook on h1.

In conclusion, development is only one factor to consider in the opening. If an opportunity comes along to win decisive material or checkmate the enemy king, then it is worth postponing your development in order to achieve these more important objectives!

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