Pieces on the cleared central squares

A vacated central square gives the pieces a base to invade from

When the central pawns advance, pieces can move up under their cover and occupy central squares. These squares can become an important base for breaking into the enemy camp. Most often it pays to put a knight on such a vacated square.

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1. 1.
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3. White not only plants the knight on a central square but also sets up its path into the enemy camp, since the c6, e6, and f5 squares fall under the control of the white pawns

That said, other pieces also gain something from occupying a central square this way.

• Maróczy — Yates
• Erdélyi — Matisons
• Janowski — Showalter