Changes

The more squares a player controls, the more options his pieces have.  One way to evaluate the amount of ''space'', or squares available to a player, is to compare the number of squares attacked by his pieces and his opponents'.  Effective use of pawns to deny good outposts for the opposing pieces while creating good squares for friendly pieces is often a key strategic goal.

The more squares a player controls, the more options his pieces have.  One way to evaluate the amount of ''space'', or squares available to a player, is to compare the number of squares attacked by his pieces and his opponents'.  Effective use of pawns to deny good outposts for the opposing pieces while creating good squares for friendly pieces is often a key strategic goal.

==Outposts and Open files==

====Outposts and Open files====

A related concept to spatial control is that of '''outposts''' and '''open files'''.  An open file is one in which there are none of your own pawns.  It is strong because it means the heavy pieces (rooks and the queen) can control the file from the safety of distance.  An outpost is a position of strength for a knight and is defined as square on an open file and protected by a pawn.  A knight on this square can impose much pressure on the opponent.

A related concept to spatial control is that of '''outposts''' and '''open files'''.  An open file is one in which there are none of your own pawns.  It is strong because it means the heavy pieces (rooks and the queen) can control the file from the safety of distance.  An outpost is a position of strength for a knight and is defined as square on an open file and protected by a pawn.  A knight on this square can impose much pressure on the opponent.