A question and answer column by National Master Andy Lee
Q: I know that the queen is the most important piece, but I don't know exactly how to make the most use of her. When is it too early to bring out my queen?
-Nick A., Berkeley, CA
A: Great question! Many beginning chess players like to bring their queens early, only to find their most important piece attacked and often captured. I lost a chess game in this way early in my chess career:
That's an extreme example of how things can go wrong, but it's wise to remember that you're better off developing your minor pieces (bishops and knights) first. As a rule of thumb, you almost never want to bring out your queen early when it helps your opponent develop with tempo. Here's another basic example:
So when is it good to bring out your queen? Only when the queen can do something important for you that no other piece can do in the position, such as recapturing a piece or creating an irresistable threat. Here's a famous example:
Remember to use your most important piece wisely!