LaviChess

Hypermodernism: the center from a distance

In the 1920s a group of masters broke with the classical rules. The center didn't have to be filled with pawns, they argued. It could just as well be controlled from a distance and attacked later.

In short: A school of chess from the 1920s. Its idea was that the center need not be occupied by pawns, but can be controlled from a distance by the pieces and attacked later.

At the start of the 1900s the classical rules were clear. Put pawns in the center, develop the pieces behind them and take space. Siegbert Tarrasch was one of those who championed them. In the 1920s a group of masters argued that there was another way: the center need not be filled with pawns. It can be controlled from a distance, with knights and bishops, and the opponent's pawns there can be attacked later.

The players

  • Aron Nimzowitsch published Mein System in five parts, 1925–1927, and introduced ideas such as prophylaxis, overprotection and the blockade. The Nimzo-Indian Defense bears his name.
  • Richard Réti wrote Die neuen Ideen im Schachspiel in 1922 and played his opening, 1. Nf3, at the top level in New York in 1924.
  • Savielly Tartakower gave the movement its name, with the book Die hypermoderne Schachpartie from 1924.
  • Gyula Breyer, Efim Bogoljubov and Ernst Grünfeld are counted among them too.

Tarrasch was not impressed. In his book Das Schachspiel from 1931 he called it a cowardly style that led to dull games.

The openings

The hypermodern openings include the Indian defenses after 1. d4 Nf6, the Alekhine Defense (1. e4 Nf6), the Modern Defense (1. e4 g6), the Réti Opening (1. Nf3) and Larsen's Opening (1. b3). Often a bishop goes to the long diagonal with a fianchetto. At first many White players answered by taking as much space as possible.

abcdefgh87654321
The Four Pawns Attack in the Alekhine Defense: 1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. c4 Nb6 5. f4. White takes as much space as possible in the center with four pawns. Black plans to attack them, because pawns that have advanced far can also become weak.

Today White more often plays a little more calmly against these openings, but the ideas live on. Read about the Alekhine Defense, the King's Indian Defense and the Nimzo-Indian Defense, and about the center.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called hypermodernism?

The name comes from Savielly Tartakower's book Die hypermoderne Schachpartie, published in 1924.

Which openings are hypermodern?

Among others the Indian defenses (1. d4 Nf6), the Alekhine Defense (1. e4 Nf6), the Modern Defense (1. e4 g6), the Réti Opening (1. Nf3) and Larsen's Opening (1. b3).

Updated November 14, 2026