Pieces & Activity

What is a strong square in chess?

  • Pieces
  • Activity
  • Coordination

Strong square is a piece-play concept: a square on a player's 4th or greater rank on which the player can post a piece that cannot or will not be driven away by enemy pawns. Compare weak square. Ask whether the piece is active, coordinated, and serving a real plan.

What to look for on the board

  • Your least active piece.
  • Open lines and strong squares.
  • Whether pieces coordinate on the same target.

Related terms

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