Hypermodernism

Hypermodernism was a school of chess theory that emerged after World War I, challenging the established principles of controlling the center with pawns. Key figures like Aron Nimzowitsch and Richard Réti argued that occupying the center could be a liability, providing a target for the opponent. Instead, they advocated for controlling the center with pieces from the wings, often employing fianchettoed bishops and strategic pawn advances that tempted opponents to overextend. This approach, which included ideas like the voluntary surrender of the center, led to popular openings such as the Queen's Indian Defense and Nimzo-Indian Defense. Post-1970 pragmatists, while not strictly Hypermoderns, also shifted focus, sometimes depreciating the bishop and emphasizing endgame play.12