The center in chess refers to the four central squares of the board — e4, d4, e5, and d5 — as well as the surrounding squares that form what is known as the extended center (c3, c4, c5, c6, d3, d6, e3, e6, f3, f4, f5, f6). These squares hold a uniquely privileged strategic position on the board.
Controlling the center is one of the most fundamental principles in chess: a piece placed in the center exerts influence over the maximum number of squares, while a piece pushed to the edge of the board sees its reach dramatically reduced. A knight on e4, for instance, controls eight squares; the same knight on a1 controls only two.
In practice, there are several ways to occupy or control the center. You can place pawns there directly (1.e4 e5, or 1.d4 d5) — this is known as the classical center. Alternatively, you can control it from a distance, for example through a fianchetto (developing a bishop to g2 or b2) without advancing a central pawn immediately. This is the approach favored by so-called hypermodern openings. The key takeaway is never to let your opponent establish unchallenged central control.