Why the centre is usually the best opening
The centre is strong because it connects to more potential lines than any other cell. On a 3×3 board it is the intersection of a row, a column and both diagonals. That means a single move immediately affects several directions. If your opponent plays carelessly, the centre helps you build pressure faster. If they answer aggressively, the centre makes defence easier, because you already control the key point on the board.
The centre also avoids revealing your game too early. A corner often pushes play into a more predictable shape, whereas the centre keeps more options open. That is strategically convenient: you can reshape your plan in response to your opponent rather than following one narrow script.
So if you want short, practical advice, it is this: in a typical 3×3 game, start in the centre if it is free.
When a corner opening also works
Corners are a strong alternative, especially once you understand how to work with diagonals and edge cells. A corner does not offer as many directions as the centre, but it still takes part in several important lines and can create awkward positions for your opponent. Plenty of good games begin in a corner, particularly against opponents who overrate one side of the board and stop seeing diagonal threats.
On bigger boards the opening question gets a little more complex. There it is not only the centre and the corners in the usual sense that matter, but also the cells around the central area. In those games the best move is the one that supports the most intersections and does not throw you out to the periphery for no reason.
If you want to understand how the opening connects to the rest of a game, the general piece on game strategy and the practical guide to winning are useful next reads.
What ruins the advantage of moving first
The most common failure is assuming a good opening has almost secured the win. It has not. If you follow a strong first move with two random continuations, your opponent neutralises the advantage quickly. The first move only means something in combination with your second and third idea.
The second problem is the urge to attack head-on immediately. A player takes the centre and then mechanically drags one line along, ignoring their opponent's threats. The opening advantage turns into a draw or even a loss. The first move is valuable not because it leads automatically to a win, but because it gives you slightly more freedom when you play well.
The third mistake is opening on an edge with no particular plan. Edge cells are usually weaker, because they offer fewer continuations. They are occasionally appropriate in an unusual position, but they work poorly as a universal opening.
How to use the first move in a real game
After a strong opening, look straight at your opponent's reply. If they take a weak cell, you can increase the pressure. If they answer accurately, the game is more likely to become a positional exchange where you have to balance attack and defence carefully. In other words, the first move does not free you from thinking — it only gives you a more comfortable launch pad.
The best way to drill this is to play short series, deliberately opening in the centre one game and in a corner the next. That makes it much clearer which scenarios develop calmly and where you find it harder to keep up the pressure. It is especially useful to compare the two against the computer and against a live opponent.
Test your openings in a game
Play a series of games and consciously compare the centre, a corner and a weak edge opening. The difference in the quality of your positions becomes obvious within a few matches.
FAQ
Is the centre really the best first move?
In most games, yes, because the centre supports more lines and gives you more flexibility.
Can you open well from a corner?
Yes. A corner is strong too, as long as you know how to develop the position from there without losing tempo.
Why doesn't the opening guarantee a win?
Because the advantage of moving first is easily wiped out by a poor continuation or a missed defence.