Hypermodern chess players discovered you don't need to occupy the center immediately. You can control it from the sides with your pieces.

For White, who possesses the advantage of the first move, hypermodern openings offer a unique blend of flexibility and strategic depth.

Long ago, when I first competed in the annual Hastings congress, I lost a decisive game for first prize in the Masters group. There were other pieces on the board, but essentially the battle was ...