Why do strong players play a quiet move like h3 in the middlegame?
To create an escape square and prevent back-rank mates
Making "luft" (air) gives the castled king an escape hatch — cheap insurance against the #1 mating pattern.
This lesson is one of 92 in the Grandmaster Academy — every one playable, with the pieces moving under your hand.
♔ Practise this lesson free